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UMW Wireless Networking FAQ

What is wireless networking?

Wireless networking increases the convenience and flexibility of computer-based communication, learning, and research. The wireless network enables you to connect your laptop to the campus network and the Internet from a variety of locations campus wide without having to plug in a data cable. The wireless network supplements the existing wired network and gives you more flexibility in choosing a connection location. Rather than having to sit within close proximity to a data outlet, you may connect to the wireless network from any location on campus with wireless access.

How can I get started with wireless networking?

 

How do I protect my computer on the network?

To help protect the university wireless network from misuse or damage from viruses, the university has installed the Safe Start network entry system using Cisco's "Clean Access" (formerly Perfigo "Clean Machines" and "Smart Enforcer") in front of the wireless network. For students or faculty/staff members who want to use the wireless network at UMW and whose laptops haven't previously been through the security review, their browsers will be redirected to an authentication Web page. Here, the user will enter his or her UMW user identification and password. After that first authentication, the user will be prompted to install the "Clean Access" client. This software will verify that your system is patched with the latest operating system and anti-virus updates. To gain access beyond Guest access you must have an up-to-date Norton 8.1 Anti-Virus (the edition that UMW makes available to its faculty/staff and students) or one of the other anti-virus applications known to Clean Access as well as the latest operating system patches installed on your computer. The Clean Access client must verify your computer configuration before you will be able to gain full access. Once verification is complete, the system will be able to fully utilize the local network and UMW"s Internet connection. Macintosh and Linux computers do not require the Clean Access client at this time.

Users who have already been through the review once go through it again periodically when they log in to the network to ensure that they have kept their systems current. Also, from time to time, the University distributes updates to the "Clean Access" client at the time of this log in, so don't be surprised if you are prompted to download the Clean Access client occasionally.

Caution

Wireless users should be aware that data traveling on the wireless network is not as secure as data traveling on the wired network. Since wireless is a "shared bandwidth" technology, it needs to be thought of as a postcard. While it is illegal for people at the post office to read your postcards, that doesn't mean it's not easy to do. If you want to transmit private information (like passwords or credit cards) via the wireless network, make sure the web site to which you are sending that information is secure (an SSL connection --i.e. the URL starts with "https" instead of "http"). SSL connections are secure on the UMW wireless network. While chances of data being "sniffed" (eavesdropped upon) on the wireless network are slim, using the wireless network does pose a slightly higher security risk than using the wired network. It is a violation of the UMW Computer Use Policy to intentionally attempt to retrieve electronic information meant for someone else.

Is there anything special I should know about using the wireless network?

Here are some useful things to remember when using the wireless network:

  • Wireless coverage can vary greatly within a couple of feet depending on conditions.
  • Users without an integrated wireless adapter should not leave their wireless cards in their machines when not in use. Bumping the antenna can damage the card and/or computer.
  • Wireless coverage does not replace wired connections. Sharing an access point is like sharing one data jack in the wall. More people on it will slow speeds. Thus, plugging in will always be faster.
  • Sending data over the airwaves is not secure unless the site you are visiting begins with https: or you are using encrypted software like SSH. You also have the option of using the VPN client to secure all traffic on the wireless network to and from your computer.
  • Check the wireless listings on this page regularly to see if new wireless locations have been added.

Wireless Networking Procedures

As DoIT has been mandated by the University to manage the campus network, in order to ensure reliability, integrity and interoperability, it is also the responsibility of DoIT to ensure the integrity and appropriate use of the campus "radio space" in terms of wireless networking. Students and departments at UMW are not permitted to install their own wireless infrastructure without fully coordinating that installation with DoIT.

Clean Access Vulnerability Assessment

Clean Access involves a vulnerability assessment component of UMW"s Safe Start Network Entry System. Clean Access is a Cisco product, and it is designed to work along side the authentication process. First, username and password are verified for approval. Then, the Clean Access "client" does a vulnerability scan against the machine to determine if anti-virus definitions and operating system updates are current. If both are current, the user is permitted to full access to the network. If not, the user is redirected to appropriate web sites to obtain necessary updates for anti-virus software and/or operating system updates. The user must install such updates before being granted full access to the UMW network.