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Important Student Information on Downloading Files

• Computer Viruses

  In today's networking environment, e-mail and the Internet have become the fastest growing sources of viruses. A virus can quickly contaminate your computer simply by opening e-mail or visiting an infected Web site. Virus scanning software protects the Pitzer College systems, but we do not have any control over outside email systems or Web sites that you may access. It is critical that you make certain that data and software you install on your computer is free of viruses. Viruses can result in significant damage to your computer, sometimes resulting in the complete re-installation of your operating system and software applications. In addition, infected computers become a security risk by propagating the virus to other systems on the network.

  Use of virus, worm, or Trojan horse programs is prohibited. If you identify a virus, worm, or Trojan horse, or what you suspect to be one, disconnect your computer from the network immediately. This can be accomplished by simply unplugging the network cable from the Ethernet port on your computer. The principal concern is stopping the contamination before additional damage is done. Virus programs are most successful when ignored. They are designed to easily hop from application to application, contaminate a computer disk, and access another computer. They easily travel down phone, cable, or other communication lines, infect e-mail, data and files, and find their way to other computer systems. The key to containment is limiting the reach of the contamination. Unplugging your computer from the network does this best.

  If it is determined that your computer is infected with a virus and is propagating the virus to other computer systems, the policy of Pitzer College is to immediately disable your connection to the network to prevent further contamination. Resnet or a member of the Pitzer Information Technology office will make every attempt to notify you of the action taken. The disabled connection will not be reinstated until it is determined that the infected computer is free of any virus, worm, or Trojan horse.

  It is the responsibility of the student to install and update their virus scanning software on a regular basis. In the event that your computer becomes infected with a virus, it is your responsibility to take the necessary steps to clean your machine. If all attempts to clean your machine are unsuccessful, formatting your hard drive and re-installing your operating system and applications may be your only alternative before your network connection will be reinstated.

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