General Questions/Answers

I have Office 2007 and am having problems finding features that I used to use in the older version. Is there a place I can get help with this?

You can find help with Word at this Microsoft Office Online help page where you can access a converter tutorial. This tutorial will allow you to rest the mouse pointer over a Word 2003 menu or button to learn its location in Word 2007.

A similar reference document is available for help with Excel 2007.

Do you have any Windows security tips?

Yes.

1. Update Microsoft Windows automatically.
2. Use strong passwords or pass phrases for all Windows user accounts on your computer
3. Use and properly maintain good and optionally anti-spyware software such as Windows Defender.
4. Turn on Windows Firewall in the Control Panel
5. Do not open suspicious email attachments or respond to suspicious requests.
6. Do not allow your browser to save passwords.
7. Lock your PC's screen when you step away, and shut down your computer when you'll be gone for more than 6 hours.
8. Where possible, consider using a web browser other than Internet Explorer, and treat "free" software with suspicion.
9. Install and use virus protection software and schedule daily automatic virus definition updates.
10. Apply vendor security patches regularly.
11. Turn the computer off at night/weekends.
12. Encrypt any data stored locally on your computer that is confidential or sensitive.

Do you have any MAC security tips?

Yes.

1. Update OS X automatically.
2. Use strong passwords or passphrases
3. Use and properly maintain good anti-virus software, and optionally anti-spyware software.
4. Do not open suspicious email attachments or respond to suspicious requests.
5. Do not allow your browser to save passwords. (mention keychain)
6. Lock your screen when you step away and shut down your computer when you'll be gone for more than 6 hours.
7. Require a password to wake your screensaver.
8. Apply vendor security patches regularly.
9. Turn the computer off at night/weekends.
10. Encrypt any data stored locally on your computer that is confidential or sensitive by using FileVault.

What should I do if my computer is missing?

Students: If your computer is missing, you should immediately report it to Student Affairs, 943-2011, so they can contact the Gunnison Police Department. The Student Affairs Office in Taylor Hall 301 also has a Lost and Found that can be checked. If you are a campus resident, you should also report it to the Resident Director for your residence complex.

Faculty and Staff: If your computer is missing, immediately report it to IT Services, 943-3123.

How do I know if my information has been tampered with and how do I report it?

Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to tell if someone has accessed your information without your knowledge. A good hacker will usually leave no traces, but some breaches are more obvious, almost a prank, such as a "skull and crossbones" as your desktop background. If you think some of your data has changed without your knowledge or is missing, contact IT Services. The best way to avoid this situation is to take preemptive action by having more secure passwords, changing your password regularly, and following good security practices.

What are some examples of reportable incidents?

Missing laptop/desktop

Missing removable media containing confidential information(e.g. USB drive, CD, floppy disk)

Obvious hacker attempts

How do I change the time for my screensaver activities?

This How-To is for you if you are a faculty or staff member and would like to change the time your screensaver is activated.

Purpose

To change the screen saver settings on your computer.

Prerequisites

A computer and the ability to right-click.

Step by step

The simplest way to access your screen saver is to:

1. right-click on your Desktop
2. select Properties from the bottom of the context menu
3. This opens the Display Properties dialog box.
4. Clicking on the Screen Saver tab will show you the available options.
5. You can select what screen saver you want to use and how long you want it to wait before coming on.
6. You can not uncheck 'On resume, password protect' as that is set administratively.
7. When you've made your choices, click OK.

Further information

If you receive messages stating that you do not have permission to change your settings please contact IT Services to look into the problem.

How do I unlock a computer?

On computers that are used by more than one person, you may find that someone has forgotten to log off and the workstation is locked.

Purpose

A computer I need to use is locked by somebody else. How do I unlock it?

Prerequisites

Explain what is needed to follow the how-to. Try to be specific about versions you are referring to.

Step by step

There are a three ways of dealing with this situation.:

1. Best is to track down the user who didn't log off and have them unlock the computer and log off appropriately.
2. Contact IT Services and see if it is possible to log the culprit off remotely.
3. Lastly, you can power off the workstation by pressing the power button and holding it down until the machine powers off. 

Further information

*WARNING* If IT Services has to log someone off remotely or if you have to power off the workstation, whomever is logged on will lose any work that is open and not saved.

How do I access my email from home or anywhere off campus?

Off campus email access is available 24/7 from any location.

1. In your web browser go to the following address: http://www.western.edu/exchange
2. You should see a box similar to this one:
3. Your username/password is the same as your login for campus.
4. The email you see off campus is the exact same e-mail you have on campus, including all messages stored in folders.
5. In addition you can access your calendar, contacts and to do items from the the same place.

How do I access a networked printer from my PC?

I am logged in using my Western credentials and need to access a networked printer. How do I do this?

• Click on Start Menu
• Click on Run in your Start Menu and type \\printserver and click the OK button (if you are on Windows 7 you can search for \\printserver in the search bar after hitting the windows icon on the lower left hand corner of your screen).
• A window will appear with all available printers.  Double click on the desired printer.   When complete, close all open windows, and this printer will now be available if you are logged in as yourself on this PC.

I have a guest on campus and they need access to the network. Can I get a guest account for them?

We have guest accounts available for guests who are visiting as a part of a conference, invited speakers, or others who are "sponsored" by a department. 

These accounts will allow guests to the WSC campus to temporarily access our wireless network from their own personal laptops.

If you have a guest in your department, such as a visiting speaker, parent, etc., who needs quick access to the internet through their own personal laptop, contact IT Services at 943-3123 and we can provide you with a temporary username and password to give them.

Please contact us yourself rather than having the guest come directly to us.