GENERAL INFORMATION

Q. What is network validation?

USC is implementing a solution to validate your PC for required security configurations before allowing it to connect to the network. The solution will perform the following:

• Require authentication to the network. (Only users with a valid USC network username can login.) You can obtain your USC network username from the technology link on the VIP webpage,  http://vip.sc.edu.
• Validate whether your system meets the minimum security standards prior to connecting it to the network.
• Quarantine your system until it meets the minimum security standards.
• Provide access to the remediation sites.
• Connect your system to the network once it is validated as “clean.”

Q. Why is USC implementing network validation?

Over 3,000 systems were infected at the start of the Fall, 2003 semester. Just prior to move-in weekend, the Blaster worm was introduced. We did not have a solution that could effectively quarantine systems until proven “clean”; thus, many unprotected systems became infected as soon as they were physically plugged into the network.

Users who did connect systems that were current with both OS patches and anti-virus software also suffered delays in Internet and other network access due to the excessive traffic caused by the infected machines.

The best way to prevent this from happening again is to ensure that anti-virus software and OS critical update/patches are current and maintained.

Q. How does validation work?

Similar to NetReg, the validation solution will “trap” any Internet browser access and redirect you to the USC authentication page so that you can login, using your network username and password. The validation solution will then scan your workstation for known vulnerabilities.

If you are running a Microsoft Windows PC, you will then be directed to download and install the validation client known as the “Clean Access Agent.” Clean Access downloads the validation rules and processes these.  If your PC fails the test, it is allowed Internet access only to the remediation sites for a period of about 45 minutes. Once corrected, your PC is connected to the network.

Your connection remains in tact until your 7-day timer expires; at that time, the connection is dropped, and you must login and re-validate again.

Q. What is Clean Access?

The Clean Access agent is the application that runs on your PC and checks whether your Windows updates and McAfee (or other leading) anti-virus software are current each time you login to the network.

Q. Am I required to install and use the Clean Access agent to connect to the network?

If your workstation is running a Microsoft Windows operating system, you must install and run the Clean Access Agent to connect to the USC residence hall network as well as the USC outdoor wireless network.

Q. What networks require validation?

The residence hall network requires validation as well as the USC outdoor wireless network. .