Frequently Asked Questions
Network Services and Applications
How should I access administrative systems (SIS, HRS,
FRS, ADS) from home?
Does USF have a firewall?
How do I access my files from outside USF’s network?
Can I run a network-based service
from my desktop, such as a web server or mail server?
Can I attach a wireless router to the USF network?
Can I put a wireless router in my dorm room?
Data Security
What is considered confidential information?
How should I send confidential information?
Where should I store confidential information?
Should I include Social Security Numbers or other confidential
information in e-mail or as attachments to e-mail?
Should I have Social Security Numbers or other confidential
information in files on my personal computer, at home or at work?
Whom should I contact if there is a breach in data security?
How do I get Anti-Virus software installed on my machine?
Privacy
Is USF ITS monitoring the content on my USF
computer?
Is USF ITS monitoring the sites I visit on the internet?
Is USF ITS monitoring my email messages?
I heard that ITS is pushing out software installations
and upgrades to USF-owned computers. Is that true?
Should I password protect my computer or my files?
How often should I change my password?
File Sharing/Transfer
How should I send files to colleagues, or to my home office?
How can I securely access my USF office computer from my
home computer?
How should I share files with other people?
My department has its own file server. Should I use it
or the central ITS server?
Can I use peer to peer software such as Kazaa and Morpheus?
Hardware/Software
Are there minimum requirements in order to connect to USF’s
network?
Network Services and Applications
How should I access administrative systems
(SIS, HRS, FRS, ADS) from home?
First, check and see if the functionality you need is included in Web for Students,
Web for Faculty, Web for Employees, or Web for Alumni and accessible through
USFconnect. If it is not, to connect to the administrative system, you need
a Secure Shell (SSH) client. USF’s supported SSH clients are Secure CRT
(Windows) and DataComet (Macintosh). You can download an SSH client at https://intraweb.usfca.edu/its/usfpublic/ssh/.
Does USF have a firewall?
Yes, USF’s network includes multiple firewalls.
How do I access my files from outside USF’s
network?
To access files on the USF network from off site, you currently need to get
a USF Remote Access Account. A Remote Access Account will allow you to dial
in to the University and be on the network. For more information about remote
access, visit http://www.usfca.edu/its/ras/.
In the future, you will be able to access USF network resources using your
own high-speed internet connection and a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN)
client. Watch the ITS web site and announcements for more information about
this form of access.
Can I run a network-based service from my
desktop, such as a web server or mail server?
This network security policy does not prohibit members of the USFcommunity from
running network-based services from their desktops. However, community members
should be advised that running network-based services may create vulnerabiliies
on their desktop machine or on the network. If your desktop system interferes
with the functioning or security of the USF network, it may be immediately disconnected
and remain disconnected until the system has been appropriately secured and
the problem resolved (Policies Governing Management
of User Systems, #5). Such network-based services include, but are not limited
to:
- a. Web Servers
b. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Servers
- c. Domain Name System (DNS) Servers
- d. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) Servers
- e. File Sharing Servers
- f. Mail Servers
- g. Streaming Media servers
Further, if the network service you are running becomes utilized to the extent
that the primary purpose of your desktop machine is multi-user sharing of applications,
data, and/or services, your desktop has become a server
and will be subject to Policies Governing Management
of Servers.
Can I attach a wireless router to the USF network?
Only faculty or staff may attach authorized
wireless routers for academic purposes as long as they do not interfere with the
USF wireless network. Security settings should be configured as described in
Standards for Network Equipment.
To find out if your router may interfere or how to restrict access, please contact
the ITS helpdesk at x6668 or itshelp@usfca.edu.
Can I put a wireless router in my dorm room?
No.
Data Security
What is considered confidential information?
Nearly all student information is confidential, in accordance with the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For complete information on FERPA,
do’s and don’ts, and a helpful tutorial, visit http://www.usfca.edu/acadserv/registrar/ferpa_tutorial1/.
How should I send confidential information?
Confidential information should be encrypted so that even if captured, it would
not be legible. Programs like SCP and SFTP provide encrypted channels during
transmission. An alternative and/or additional security measure would be to
encrypt the file itself. Compression offers a small degree of encryption and
most applications allow for password protection. PGP (Pretty Good Protection)
is another method to encrypt files. USF does not currently recommend a specific
PGP client. Free PGP clients are available for downloading at:
If you cannot send the information securely, consider placing it in a secure
file share for specific colleagues to access.
Where should I store confidential information?
Confidential information should be stored on secure file servers like Jade and
the administrative systems (SIS, FRS, ADS, HRS) only. An additional security
measure would be to encrypt the file itself. Compression offers a small degree
of encryption and most applications allow for password protection. PGP (Pretty
Good Protection) is another method to encrypt files. USF does not currently
recommend a specific PGP client. Free PGP clients are available for downloading
at:
Should I include Social Security Numbers or
other confidential information in e-mail or as attachments to e-mail?
No.
Should I have Social Security Numbers or other
confidential information in files on my personal computer, at home or at work?
No.
Whom should I contact if there is a breach
in data security?
If you become aware that breach of data security has occurred, please notify
abuse@usfca.edu.
How do I get Anti-Virus software installed on
my machine?
USF has licensed Symantec Anti-Virus (SAV) for all students, as well as faculty
and staff home computers. To download SAV, go to http://antivirus.usfca.edu
and login with your USFconnect username and password.
Privacy
Is USF ITS monitoring the content on my USF
computer?
No. USF does not monitor any content stored on your desktop.
Is USF ITS monitoring the sites I visit on
the internet?
No.
Is USF ITS monitoring my email messages?
No.
I heard that ITS is pushing
out software installations and upgrades to USF-owned computers. Is that true?
Yes. ITS is using "push" software to remotely install critical security
patches and approved new software, such as SSH clients. ITS can and will push
patches and upgrades to USF-owned computers only (not student or home computers).
Some pushes are silent, which means that users are not notified that they are
taking place. Upgrades which may effect functionality or change features, such
as Microsoft Office, will only be pushed with the user’s consent.
Should I password protect my computer or my files?
Yes. Password protection is a good idea, but be sure you can remember your passwords
:-) !
How often should I change my password?
It is recommended that passwords be changed every 3 months.
File Sharing/Transfer
How should I send files to colleagues,
or to my home office?
Non-confidential files may be sent as e-mail attachments or placed on a departmental
or central file server. If you would like access to the central ITS file server,
please visit https://intraweb.usfca.edu/its/security/jadefilesharing.htm
to learn more.
How can I securely access my USF office computer
from my home computer?
ITS does not currently offer a secure remote access method. In the future, however,
you will be able to access USF network resources using your own high-speed internet
connection and a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) client. Watch the ITS
web site and announcements for more information about this form of access.
How should I share files with other people?
USF recommends using a file server. If you would like access to the central
ITS file server, please visit https://intraweb.usfca.edu/its/security/jadefilesharing.htm
to learn more. If you would like to share files from your personal computer,
please set up your sharing in accordance with the guidelines available at
https://intraweb.usfca.edu/its/security/networkshareinstruct.htm.
My department has its own file server. Should
I use it or the central ITS server?
Either server is fine. Over time, file sharing services may be consolidated
in the interest of efficiency.
Can I use peer to peer software such as Kazaa
and Morpheus?
Using peer to peer file sharing software is legal, so long as the material being
shared is in the public domain or owned by you. However, downloading copyrighted
material is illegal.
Hardware/Software
Are there minimum requirements in order to connect
to USF’s network?
USF ITS has minimum standards for supported hardware and software. Please see our Personal Computer Purchases page for minimum requirements.
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