Since spring semester 2005, a student who brings his or her computer to Information Technologies-User Services (IT-US) to be cleaned of viruses, adware, spyware, and peer-to-peer (P2P) software will be charged $70 for the first cleaning and $100 for subsequent cleanings. Information about the policy and its intent are explained below.

Question: What is the computer cleaning policy?

Answer: Students will be charged for examination and clean-up services performed on a computer contaminated with viruses, adware, spyware, P2P software, and other items that pose risks to the UD campus network. Charges are $70 for an initial examination and clean-up service; charges are $100 for any repeat service that includes cleaning a student's computer.

Question: Why is this policy necessary?

Answer: As well as causing problems on an individual's infected computer, the campus network and the entire University community are at risk from computers that are infected with viruses, spyware, adware, etc.

In addition, the owners of computers that are identified as sharing copyrighted material risk prosecution for violation of copyright laws.

Our educational initiative on responsible computing—The Code of the Web, online resources, education sessions in residence halls, and other programs—has raised awareness of the risks of viruses, spyware, and P2P programs.

However, many students still have not taken the steps necessary to prevent their computers from infecting the UD campus network: Everyone must be proactive in guarding against the risks that these programs present.

We are expanding our online resources to make it easier for students to be proactive—including a new video series called "Consulting on Demand"—which provides step-by-step instructions on computing issues.

The computer clean up policy is designed to encourage students to avoid loss of network access, the inconvenience of losing the use of their computer, and the expense of having a computer cleaned.

Question: What will happen if a computer becomes infected?

When an infected system is detected by the network, it will be automatically disconnected from the University network.

Before it can be reconnected, it must be cleaned and patched. Students will have ONE OPPORTUNITY to clean and patch it themselves. If the problem is not fixed and the system is disconnected a second time, the student will be required to have the system cleaned by IT-US before a network connection will be restored. IT-US charges $70 for initial clean-up service and $100 for repeat service.

Question: What behaviors, like file sharing, might this policy prevent?

Answer: File sharing of copyrighted material is a concern because it is illegal. We hope that the policy will encourage students to refrain from illegal activities.

Downloading and distributing copyrighted songs, movies, software, or other protected works without permission from the copyright owner or agent is illegal and is a violation of the University's Policy for Responsible Computing.

If a computer connected to the UD network is found to be involved in the illegal distribution of copyrighted material, these are the steps that the University will take immediately.

Question: How can a student prevent his or her computer from becoming infected with viruses, spyware, and possibly participate in illegal downloading?

Answer: Computers can get infected by viruses if they are not running up-to-date anti-virus software. UD has a site license for the McAfee Anti-Virus software. The software can be obtained free for any computer on the campus network so there is no excuse for not keeping a computer virus-free.

Most spyware and adware can be avoided by taking care when you download programs to your computer. For example, many P2P programs install additional programs that generate pop-ups. Students can also install and use free programs called Ad-Aware and SpyWareBlaster, which help prevent and remove spyware and malware.

Question: How can a student tell when his or her computer has become infected?

Answer: Students should be running UD's site-licensed version of McAfee Anti-Virus software. This program will identify and delete viruses and trojans that are on the computer. This version is provided to the campus for free, and it is automatically updated when the computer is connected to the network, providing continued protection from virus infection. Students should also be checking for and deleting spyware at least once a week. See the IT Help Center's Security Site for more information about how to maintain a secure computer.

Question: Where can students get their computers cleaned?

Answer: Any student who would like to have his or her computer cleaned by IT-US must first call the IT Help Center at 831-6000 to be assigned a trouble ticket tracking number. Students can then make an appointment to bring their computer in to be cleaned.

Question: How is the clean-up fee charged?

Answer: The fee will be charged to the student's account and will appear on the student's bill.