College Security

Ok so I was hired to be a 'ResNet Tech' w00t me, I know... The only thing that I am upset with my college is about having to be forced to instal a virus scanner that I do not wish to have on my computers. Yes I know the easy dont use my computers online and I wont have any problems. They want McAfee and I want AVG (you can see the one of the problems, right?)

Not that I want to be a rebel and seem like Im all l33t, its just that I have had way to many problems with McAfee with viruses (or maybe it was the program its self) just keept screwing up that I could never use it. Then upon boot up it would allways yell at me that something was wrong with the engine or some .dll file so I had to uninstal the program and re-install because using the repair method never worked.

The program that I had to install was 'Persisent Secruity Agent' by Bradford Networks. What it does is scans your computer to make sure that McAfee is installed on your computer and to check that it is up-to-date. Once it does that it either lets you use the internet or tells you that you need to update. Some how it changes ones IP among many other network settings.

Over all what I am trying to say is I would rather not have the two programs on my computer and still use the internet. At the moment I have disabled McAfees services and startup files.

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You registered for QuakeCon on April 30, 2008, 6:56 pm. You were # 366 to sign up for QuakeCon!

I am not trying to beat you up, but it is the college's computers and their decision which product is best for them. The only thing someone can do in your position is give them the best reasons why it is the wrong choice and tell them "I told you so" (in a way where they don't fire you) when it messes up.

It could be worse... They could have told you to install symantec and have you do malware extermination and root compromise reports for the next 15 months.

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"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."-Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."-Ken Olson, founder of DEC, 1977.

Unfortunately you'll just have to install the software. Just be glad that they're not making you install Netware! The realities of a campus network dictate that antivirus be installed AND up to date. Campus networks are a wretched hive of scum and villany at the best times, and if a virus gets loose it can be a catastrophe.

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I understand that, its just that my computer would THE last one to be found with anything on it

huh, well I guess Im just going to suck it up and be a man about it.

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You registered for QuakeCon on April 30, 2008, 6:56 pm. You were # 366 to sign up for QuakeCon!

yeah its rough, but its really a necessary evil from the college admin's point of view.

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It's not just colleges most SysAds and SecMans feel the same way you do. Managemant wants it done now as cheap as possible.

You can get anything done fast, cheap or properly. But, you can only pick two.

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"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."-Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."-Ken Olson, founder of DEC, 1977.

I agree completely, but its my computer >.< To me its like you have a cement wall but they want you to have a certain brand of a cement wall. Both scanners have their flaws, just as the cement walls would.


On a side note:

So I was in the book store today and as I was checking out I saw on their back wall Norton AV. They provide McAfee for free for all the students living on campus, yet they are selling Norton, which this one program that scans the computers will only allow McAfee.

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You registered for QuakeCon on April 30, 2008, 6:56 pm. You were # 366 to sign up for QuakeCon!

Goober, let me give you some advice. Now that your in college and soon to be in the workforce, you must do what your network admins desire. Even if it may not seem to be the best practice, go along with it but peacefully give your concerns/suggestions.

This is coming from someone who has had similar issues as you do.

BTW, I have not had a virus in 6 years. I do not have any anti-virus or anti-spyware apps running on my home network.

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Learn about the man behind the screen @ Ogden2k.net

If you don't have any av software running, how can you be sure that you don't have a virus?

They're not always as obvious as one might think.

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A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. ~Bruce Lee