CleanAccess 101

Viruses, adware, spyware -- if you've encountered any of these terms, you know what they are, and you know what they can do to your system. Computers which are not patched or do not run virus scanning software can infect others and disrupt network services. It's easy to protect your system from these dangerous invasions, but many users don't take the time to do it until it's too late. To help protect our users and our campus network, the University added a new authentication system called “Clean Access” in the Residence Halls.

What is Clean Access?

Clean Access Agent is a small program that runs on your PC. This program is designed to ensure computers using the network meet the University's security requirements.  Initially when logging on, each computer in the Residence Halls is scanned for the latest operating system (OS) updates and the newest virus definitions.. Computers that don't meet the requirements will only have limited network access to fix the problem. Until then, you will not be able to access any websites, email or instant messaging. After successfully logging in, you can to access all network services, but the Clean Access Agent will remain behind the scenes protecting the network.

In short, the Clean Access software performs the following functions:

• Requires authentication to the network
• Validates whether the system connecting to the network meets the minimum security standards.
• Quarantines the system until it meets the minimum security standards.
• Provides access to the remediation sites.
• Allows access to the network once a system is “clean”.
  

Things to remember

Whenever you access the Internet through the campus network, Clean Access Agent will run. It will ask you for your Truman username and password -- this is the same info you would use to log in to TruView.

Gaming devices such as an XBox or PS/2 must be registered with Clean Access to work on the campus network.

If you don't shut your computer down at night, you will be automatically logged off every Saturday at 5:00 a.m., at which time you must login again and undergo another security scan. If at any time your machine is identified as being vulnerable to new threats or infected with a virus, you may be isolated again and required to fix the problems to prevent infecting others.  This usually occurs when a new operation system patch or anti-virus update becomes available.