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Safe Computing Overview


Duquesne University promotes a safe computing environment for its students, faculty, staff, & administrators. There are actions that all DU Community members should practice that will protect their own and others computers from being compromised or contracting viruses. If everyone adheres to these safe computing tips our network will perform at its peak ability.

For personally owned computers:
Duquesne owned computers:
  • Are configured by CTS Technicians and have a licensed version of the operating system (OS) installed
  • Windows OS Updates are approved and released by CTS on a regular basis
  • Symantec Anti-Virus is part of the University's standard loadset and installed on all computers (Windows & Macintosh)
  • Symantec Anti-Virus definitions are managed and updated automatically when connected to the DU network.
  • Symantec Anti-Virus scans run for all DU owned computers connected to the DU network on Thursdays at noon.
  • Spyware/Adware removal tools such as Lavasoft Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy are installed on most DU owned computers but are not managed by CTS and don't run automatically;
    if they are not on your computer you can download them for free.
  • Must adhere here to DU Network Policies



Make sure you have a licensed version of your operating system and other software and have recovery disks


You should come to Duquesne with a licensed version of your operating system and software. It is the policy and practice of the University to respect the copyright protection given to copyright owners by federal law. If you have an illegal version of your operating system Critical Updates will not work and your system will be vulnerable to virus threats.You should bring all system recovery and software disks that have come with your computer to school with you. This is in case a problem should occur on your computer and you need to have it reloaded by the Computer Store or another vendor.It is important to keep your operating system updated so that you are not vulnerable to virus attacks. The makers of operating systems find security flaws in their software on a regular basis and release security updates to correct these flaws and make the operating system more secure.

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Run Operating System Updates

Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com if you have a Windows Operating System to get the most recent critical updates for your computer.

To have your Windows Updates run automatically:

  1. Click Start
  2. Right click on My Computer
  3. Click on Properties
  4. Go to the Automatic Updates tab
  5. Check "Keep my computer up to date...."
  6. Choose "Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed."
  7. Click Apply, then OK


If you have a Apple computer, to get the most recent security updates for your computer you can go to Apple, then Software Updates, or Apple > System Preferences > then Software Update, or http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/

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Install and run SpyWare & AdWare Removal Tools


SpyWare and AdWare are programs that are downloaded onto your computer, usually without your knowledge, that send customer data to marketing companies. Certain downloads (kazaa/Limewire, screen saver programs, and some toolbars for instance) are bundled with SpyWare, so by installing them, you are installing SpyWare. SpyWare and AdWare can affect your computer's performance by causing slowness and internet pop-ups as well as causing virus like network activity that will slow network performance for the entire campus community. There are free tools available to remove this type of program on our downloads page. The removal tools are called Malwarebytes, MS Security Essentials, & AVG. Click here to see what Microsoft has posted regarding SpyWare.

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