computing at mit: overview
TRANSCRIPT
Computing at MIT: Overview
Phyllis Galt and Stuart Peloquin
Information Services and Technology
August 2008
Key take-aways:
• Utilizing the MIT residential network
– Responsible network behavior
• Safe Computing Practices
– Protecting your computer and yourself while online
• Where to go for help
– Computing resources offered by IS&T
MITNet
To Internet
The MIT Residential Network
About MITnet - the dorms
• One wired network port per MIT student
• Wireless is available in every dorm
– Network name “MIT”
• Computer configures automatically
• Connectivity is shared with many other residents
• Open connection to the internet.
– There is no firewall on the MIT network
• Athena Quickstations and printers in each dormhttp
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Guidelines
• MIT Policies for IT use: http://mit.edu/ist/topics/policies
– No extended networks: No hubs, routers, switches
• MIT network is shared
– Use bandwidth responsibly
• Be careful with peer to peer applications
– They use A LOT of bandwidth and can cause networkproblems for nearby residents
– Can open your computer to a possible data compromise
– Copyright infringement is against the law
Getting Help: Residential Network
• Residential Computing Consultants (RCCs) assigned toevery dorm
• Submit help requests to the Residential ComputingConsultants
– http://rcc.mit.edu or (617) 258-9444
• Support and advice for connecting to network, computersand other peripherals
• Typical response time is within 24 hours
Getting Help: Help Desk Call Center
• Technical assistance for IS&T supported productsand services
• General computer help
• http://mit.edu/ist/helpdesk
• Hours of operation:
– Mon-Fri, 8am - 6pm (Tuesdays 5pm)
• Contact us via phone, email or web
[email protected] (617) 253-1101
IS&T Online: Free Software
• VirusScan for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Secure Connections:
– Secure CRT, Secure FX, Fetch, XWin32 forconnecting to Athena
– Cisco VPN
• VMWare For Windows, Mac and Linux
• Windows XP and Windows Vista
• Access to discounted pricing for MS Office
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Help Desk: Computer Buying Advice
• MIT vendor partners: Apple, Dell, Lenovo
– Special pricing and preconfigured machines
– Purchase online through ECAT
• Recommended desktop/laptop configurations that meetMIT computing requirements
• Showroom in Building N42
• Questions? - In person or over the phone consultation
http://mit.edu/ist/services/hardware/presales.html
Backing up your data
• Music, Pictures, Address Book, Email, Resume,Labs and Projects, Research papers...
• CD/DVD writer, USB key or External HD
• Athena Account space, TSM
• TimeMachine on OS X 10.5, Leopard
http://mit.edu/ist/topics/security/backup.html
“...annual disk replacement rates typically exceed 1%, with2-4% common and up to 13% observed on some systems.”
- Bianca Schroeder and Garth A. Gibson, Carnegie MellonUniversity
Help Desk: In-Person Consultation
• Walk-in Hours (N42):
– Mon-Fri, 9:15am - 5pm
• By appointment (one per hour) or walkin
• 15-minute problem assessment at nocharge
• If not resolved, you may choose to leaveyour machine for repair
Help Desk: Repairs
• Hardware service contracts for Apple, Delland Lenovo
• Hardware upgrades
• OS and Software installation and upgrades
• Backup and restore
• Troubleshoot and remove virus, spyware,and adware
• Software repairs are fee based ($60/hr)
Building N42, Monday - Friday 9:15AM - 5PM
Computer security
• Patch your operating system
– http://mit.edu/ist/topics/security/patch.html
• Keep your firewall running
– Most OS's come with a built-in firewall. Let it run.
– Remember, MIT is an open network
• Run antivirus software
– http://mit.edu/ist/topics/virus/
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Physical and Data Theft
• Physically lock your laptop
– Do not leave items unattendedor in an unlocked room
• Use strong, unique passwords
• Require passwords to log on to your computer and to turnoff the screen saver
• Password protect your MIT certificates
– http://mit.edu/certificates
– Contact the Computing Help Desk or the RCCs
Phishing• Fake email or websites claiming to be your:
– Bank, email provider, ISP, etc...
• Do not reply to emails asking for your personal accountinformation
– Go directly to their known web page or call a publiclylisted phone number
• DO NOT GIVE OUT YOUR PASSWORDS!
Ignore emails asking you to provide yours. IT staff atMIT will NEVER ask you for your password.
Phishing at MIT
Make sure to…
• Check your credit score
– http://www.annualcreditreport.com
– Free once per year with each of the three majorcreditors
• Use Secure websites
– Look for the lock icon in your web browser orhttps://
SPAM
• You will get SPAM in your MIT email account
• Use the MIT Spamscreen service:
– http://mit.edu/ist/services/email/nospam/
• Update your allow/deny list
– These lists can be use to flag email messagesregardless of their “Spam Score”
• Internal SPAM
– Use MIT mail lists appropriately
File Sharing: Respect Copyright
• Music, movies, games, software, books are someone’sintellectual property
– Probably protected by copyright
– Sharing this media over the internet may violate thatcopyright
• Did you know:
– Bittorrent, Kazaa and other filesharing programsautomatically share whatever you’ve downloaded
File Sharing: Stay out of Trouble
• Sharing or downloading media on the internet without theright to do so is against the law (see: DMCA)
– Notifications or legal action from copyright holders
– Committee on Discipline
• Many files on sharing sites also contain viruses
• There are alternatives
– Amazon MP3 and unbox, iTunes, royalty free music,internet radio, Hulu.com, open source and freeware
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Voice Communication
• Phone service in the dorms
– http://mit.edu/ist/tel/students.html
• Vendor discounts for cell phones and cell phone plans
– http://mit.edu/ecat
• Discounted international calling plan (CellularLD)
– http://mit.edu/ist/tel/cellularld.html
• Personal SIP Accounts
– Voice mail box and call forwarding only
– Support through the RCCs. http://rcc.mit.edu
Don’t forget• Back up your data frequently
• Keep your computer up to date with software andsecurity patches
• Install and update anti-virus software
• NEVER give out your password
– You will never be asked to confirm youraccount by sending your password in an email
Where to get help
• Networking in residence halls
– http://web.mit.edu/ist/helpdesk/rcc, x8-9444
• Athena Consulting
– http://web.mit.edu/ist/helpdesk/athena, 3-4435
• Computing Help Desk
– http://web.mit.edu/ist/helpdesk, 3-1101