2008 Woodie Awards
Internet shut off for some residents
Viruses, file sharing to blame
By: Jonathan Kleinow
Issue date: 4/7/05 Section: News
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Several student residents were surprised to find their Internet connections turned off after an Information Technology network technician shut off their ports for using too much bandwidth.
The students weren't told why their ports had been shut down until March 31, although most of the ports were turned off shortly after spring break.
Many campus residents were very upset, said Josh King, freshman audio production major and Maria Hall resident.
"Our problem went unnoticed and I felt kind of passed over," King said.
The ports were shut down because they had been causing too much traffic on the network, said User Services Coordinator Kristi Evans.
When that happens, "the port has to be shut down, because it can bring down not only the network on the home campus, but several of our extended sites," Evans said.
Of the 24 ports, 13 have been turned back on or are in the process of being reopened as of April 4, Evans said.
More ports may be shut down if students don't clean off spyware soon, said Terri Jones, assistant director for information services in User Services.
"There are many more infected machines on student network, but they have not shown a spike in activity," Jones said. "For that, I'm thinking it's just a matter of time, so we want to give them the tools while they're still connected to the Internet."
Residential Life and User Services hosted a meeting March 31 to explain to student why their ports were turned off and give them software to repair their computer. Students were given a packet containing a CD with ClamWin antivirus software and Spybot Search and Destroy, which removes spyware. The packet also contained instructions for how to run the software, as well as information on how to prevent Internet service from being turned off in the future.
If more students are found using excessive bandwidth in the future and their ports are shut down, they shouldn't expect CDs, Evans said.
The students weren't told why their ports had been shut down until March 31, although most of the ports were turned off shortly after spring break.
Many campus residents were very upset, said Josh King, freshman audio production major and Maria Hall resident.
"Our problem went unnoticed and I felt kind of passed over," King said.
The ports were shut down because they had been causing too much traffic on the network, said User Services Coordinator Kristi Evans.
When that happens, "the port has to be shut down, because it can bring down not only the network on the home campus, but several of our extended sites," Evans said.
Of the 24 ports, 13 have been turned back on or are in the process of being reopened as of April 4, Evans said.
More ports may be shut down if students don't clean off spyware soon, said Terri Jones, assistant director for information services in User Services.
"There are many more infected machines on student network, but they have not shown a spike in activity," Jones said. "For that, I'm thinking it's just a matter of time, so we want to give them the tools while they're still connected to the Internet."
Residential Life and User Services hosted a meeting March 31 to explain to student why their ports were turned off and give them software to repair their computer. Students were given a packet containing a CD with ClamWin antivirus software and Spybot Search and Destroy, which removes spyware. The packet also contained instructions for how to run the software, as well as information on how to prevent Internet service from being turned off in the future.
If more students are found using excessive bandwidth in the future and their ports are shut down, they shouldn't expect CDs, Evans said.