ANESTHESIOLOGY IT NEWSLETTER #3, 2005
January 18, 2005
In this issue:
= Departmental policies
= Windows XP SP2
= VPN
= Email statistics
DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES
As you of course know, departmental policies regarding computer use are there to protect our information, our investment in resources, and to protect YOU! Please make sure you are aware of all the policies, which can be found here: Anesthesiology department computer policy. I would like to highlight one section: "No additional software or Instant Messaging may be installed on departmental computers without approval from the CSG (Computer Support Group)". If you install a software package that we do not have a license for, it has legal rammifications. Some software opens up ports on your computer (acting as a server) and it could jeapordize your data and personal information, and yet again other software will cause your computer to run really slow.
WINDOWS XP SP2
Most of you that run Windows XP at home will already have Service Pack 2. SP2 contains many more security options. Whether those options make you more secure will have to be seen. There are some programs that do not work right with SP2, and some changes will have to be made. I will highlight two common ones here: McAfee virus scan and VPN (see next section). You will have to use the latest McAfee: version 8.0i. You can download this for free on your home computer via http://www.software.ufl.edu. You will need to enter your gatorlink username and password.
VPN
Some network services are only available from computers "on campus" due to licensing and/or security issues. Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to put your home or hotel computer on the campus network by creating a virtual secure tunnel over the public Internet. When you run VPN software and are connected and logged in, you will have all the benefits that you would normally have with a UF "on campus" computer. The UF VPN requires you to login with your gatorlink account. You can download the UF VPN from: http://net-services.ufl.edu/provided_services/vpn/ (click on "Download client software"). Please note that if you run Windows XP SP2, you will need to make a modification to allow the VPN to run:
1) Make sure you download and install the latest version (4.0 beta)
2) Start up the VPN program, click on Options->Advanced Mode
3) Click on Connection Entries->Modify
4) Select the "Transport" tab and click the option in front of "IPSec over UDP (NAT/PAT)", then Save
5) Select Options->Simple modePlease do not install this software on any departmental computer. This is primarily for use when outside the campus network.
EMAIL STATISTICS
Number of messages received: 51,283
Number of messages containing viruses: 1,272
Number of messages marked as spam: 11,433
