ResNet Web Safe Access
Welcome to ResNet - the Purchase College residential network. ResNet connects your computer to Purchase College servers and the Internet. In order to access ResNet you will have to register your computer on the network and then pass the Web Safe Access inspection process.
Keeping your system updated reduces the impact of virus, worm and denial-of-service attacks that can disrupt a campus network and also reduces the likelihood that you will fall victim to Spyware, phishing, pharming and identity theft. The most effective way to protect yourself - and the college community - is to keep your operating system and your anti-virus software up to date. Vendors release regular security patches for their software to close vulnerabilities as they are discovered. We strongly recommend that you maintain your protection by enabling automatic updates in your Windows or Mac operating system and your anti-virus software.
The Web Safe Access Registration and Inspection Process
To begin the process, launch a web browser. You will automatically be re-directed to the ResNet Web Safe Access site. Please note that Instant Messenger (IM) and other Internet applications or appliances will not work until you complete the inspection process.
You will be prompted to register your computer and you will use your Purchase College email address and password to register. If you have not already activated your email account please do so now by visiting the Student Services website. After successfully registering your computer on the network you will be then be prompted to download and an ActiveX control which is used to verify that your operating system and antivirus software have the most recent security updates.
Macintosh and Linux computers will be automatically granted full network access. While there are worms and viruses that affect Mac and Linux computers, they are targeted less frequently than Windows computers. If you have a Mac or Linux computer please be sure to update your operating system and anti-virus software regularly to protect yourself.
Your computer will have to pass Web Safe Access inspection at regular intervals throughout the year. If you are running automatic updates, the process will only take a few seconds. Web Safe Access greatly reduces chances your computer will be infected - and helps ensure good, consistent network performance for the entire community.
Your computer will be placed in a quarantine network until it passes the validation process. While in quarantine you will have access to the tools you need to bring your operating system and/or anti-virus software up to date as well as access to Purchase College email and Student Services applications - but not the Internet or other campus servers. Your computer will remain in the quarantine network until the latest updates and patches have been applied and your machine is able to pass Web Safe Access inspection.
The most common reasons for failing inspection are:
- You are missing critical Windows updates
- You do not have anti-virus software installed on your computer
- Your anti-virus profiles are outdated
- The College has received a claim of copyright infringement involving your computer
- There is a problem with your computer (worm, virus, or Acceptable Use Policy violation)
You will receive instructions during the Web Safe Access process that will help you get your computer out of quarantine and onto the Internet. You can also contact the Helpdesk at helpdesk@purchase.edu or (914) 251-6465 (x6465 from on campus) for further assistance.
1. What information is Web Safe Access collecting?
2. Does the College filter my Internet access?
3. Does the College track where I go on the Internet?
4. What about Piracy and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)?
5. What anti-virus programs are supported by Web Safe Access?
6. Didn’t my computer come with anti-virus software?
7. What about my game console / router/ firewall / wireless access point or other device?
8. My software is up to date, but I still can’t get in…
9. What is an Acceptable Use Policy violation?
1. What information is Web Safe Access collecting?
Web Safe Access collects your computer’s MAC address and your user name. It also examines the registry on your machine and compares it against a list of the latest security patches and updates for your operating system and for your anti-virus software to ensure your computer is up to date.
In order to complete the Web Safe Access registration process you will need an activated Purchase College email account. If you haven’t already activated your email account please do so now by visiting the Student Services website.
2. Does the College filter my Internet access?
No. Purchase College supports the academic freedom of students and faculty by providing unfiltered access to all resources on the Internet. We may at times restrict access to web sites that are proven harmful or prey on members of the campus community (i.e. a specific phishing scam site); or that endanger operation of campus network services.
3. Does the College track where I go on the Internet?
The College respects your privacy, and does not track individual’s use of the Internet.
4. What about Piracy and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)?
Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) the College is obligated by law to take action when alleged copyright violations are reported our network. When the College receives a notification of alleged copyright infringement, we shut off the port that is the source of the claimed infringement, and notify the computer’s owner through the Office of Student Affairs that a notice of claimed infringement has been received for their computer. Infringement of copyright is a violation of Federal law, and may be subject to both fines and civil damages. Copyright infringement is also a violation of the College’s Computer Ethics Policy that may result in loss of privilege and other penalties.
Please visit the the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) page for more information.
5. What anti-virus programs are supported by Web Safe Access?
Symantec Anti-Virus*
Norton Anti-Virus and Suites *
McAfee VirusScan and Suites
TrendMicro PC-cillin and OfficeScan
Computer Associates e-Trust
Sophos Anti-Virus
AVG Anti-Virus
*The College provides Symantec Anti-Virus to all registered students and to all faculty and staff for their home machines. If you don’t have one of the supported anti-virus programs you can download your free copy of Symantec AntiVirus from the Symantec Download page. Please visit the ResNet Download page for links to popular anti-virus programs.
6. Didn’t my computer come with anti-virus software?
Many computers come with trial versions of anti-virus software - typically activated for 90 days. Once the trial period is over, you may not be able to download anti-virus updates required to protect you against the constant stream of new viruses.
If your anti-virus software doesn’t allow you to get updates we strongly recommend that you switch to the Symantec Anti-Virus license that the College provides for you at no charge. This license will allow full automated updates and is valid as long as you are a registered student at Purchase College.
To switch to Symantec Anti-Virus, you must uninstall any other anti-virus software. You can download your free copy of Symantec AntiVirus from the Symantec Download page.
7. What about my game console / router/ firewall / wireless access point or other device?
Web Safe Access will not affect most of these types of devices. However, if you install a wireless access point or other device that interferes with network access for other individuals, it may be shut down. (Many consumer-grade wireless routers contain DHCP servers that may interfere with others ability to obtain a legitimate IP address.) If you are concerned that your device may not operate permissibly with campus network services, please call the CIS Helpdesk at (914) 251-6465.
8. My software is up to date, but I still can’t get in…
If your operating system and anti-virus software are up to date, but you still can’t get in, please call the CIS Helpdesk at x6465. The most likely causes are that a claim of copyright infringement has been made against your machine, or an acceptable use policy violation has occurred.
9. What is an Acceptable Use Policy violation?
When you activate your Purchase College computer account, you are agreeing to abide by the College’s Computer Ethics and Acceptable Use Policy. In general, this policy prohibits activities that interfere with network access for other individuals, disrupting the network in any way, or attempting to access network resources without proper authorization.
For more information or assistance, please email us at helpdesk@purchase.edu or call (914) 251-6465 MON - FRI 8AM - 5:30PM.