SafeConnect in the Residence Halls
Students living on campus are required to install a small application called "SafeConnect" before gaining access to the network. After establishing a network connection, they will be prompted to install SafeConnect. This system installs a Policy Key which enables the checking and enforcement of security requirements on devices connected to OspreyNet. Any computer connected will be subject to the rules and regulations as defined by the OspreyNet Acceptable Use Policy.
UNF does not monitor network traffic based on content unless there is a problem detected with your system.
Supported Systems:
- Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7
- Macintosh
- Linux systems
Before you Install:
Personal Firewalls:
If you computer has any type of personal firewall software installed you may have problems installing or running SafeConnect. Check your system tray for any firewalls, such as Norton Internet Security or Zone Alarm. Blocking any traffic generated by the Policy Key will cause major problems when you try to connect to OspreyNet. If you receive notifications to block or allow traffic generated by the Policy Key you must select the option to allow the traffic.
Microsoft AntiSpyware may also ask you to allow SafeConnect to automatically start. You must allow SafeConnect to start automatically or you will be prompted to install it each time you access the network.
What to expect when you connect to OspreyNet
Network Authentication:
You must have a valid UNF ID (network account) to access the network. Once your computer is successfully connected to OspreyNet via the ethernet jack in your room and you try to access the external Internet you will be prompted to enter your UNF ID and password.
For security reasons you will be prompted to re-enter this information every time you reboot your computer. This information is logged and all traffic generated by this system is your responsibility even if someone else is using your computer. If you are going to be away from your system shut it down or lock it with a password.
Installing the Policy Key
Install Policy Key (Mac Users)
Click here for the Mac Policy Key Install instructions
Install Policy Key (Windows Users)
All Microsoft Windows users are given the option of installing SafeConnect. You do not have to install this to use your computer but if you choose not to install it network access to off campus resources (such as the Internet) will be blocked. SafeConnect must be running while connected to the residence halls networks.
DO NOT DISABLE, UNINSTALL OR REMOVE THE POLICY KEY. IFSAFE CONNECT IS NOT RUNNING YOUR ACCESS WILL BE BLOCKED OR YOU WILL BE PROMPTED TO REINSTALL IT!
When you access the network and try to navigate away from the unf home page this screen will appear.
There are also links to the OspreyNet acceptable use policy and FAQs. These policies are also in your student handbook. By installing this key you state that you have read and understood all OspreyNet policies and agree to abide by them.
You will click on "Yes, I will install the SafeConnect Safeconnect Policy Key Client and Accept the terms and conditions for Internet Use". After clicking on this the the download screen will apppear.
Next, click on the run button.
Click on "Install".
SafeConnect will install. Click "OK" on the final screen.
Personal Firewalls:
If you have a Firewall installed on your system traffic it may block Policy Key traffic which will cause the Policy Key installation screen to be displayed repeatedly.
Software firewalls, such as SP2 for Windows XP, will bring up a flag during the agent install requesting a decision to allow or deny the Policy Key Agent’s access. You must select allow for the system to work correctly. Additionally, for some firewalls, it will be necessary to configure them to allow communication with specific hosts. In this case, configure the firewall to allow communication to IP addresse - 172.17.200.2.
What does SafeConnect check for?
1. Anti Virus Software up to Date and Running
This Anti-Virus warning screen will vary depending on the state of your system. Follow the instructions to either install anti-virus software or start your existing anti-virus application. You will not have Internet access until your machine meets these anti-virus requirements!
If you virus definitions are out-of-date you will be warned as follows:
- First Warning - 12 hours to update.
- Second Warning - 12 hours to update
- Third Warning - your internet access will be blocked
If you go through all three warnings and are blocked from internet access you may not be able to update your virus definitions. Therefore your internet access will, in effect, be permanently blocked unless you find a way to update them manually. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! 24 hours is more than enough time to update your virus definitions.
Below are the approved anti-virus software applications for Windows:
Authentium
Avast
AVG
AVGuard
Bitdefender
Comodo
EZ Antivirus
Faronics
Fortinet
F-Secure
Gdata
Immunet
Iolo
Kaspersky
Landesk
Lightspeed
Malwarebytes
McAfee
McAfee 45
McAfee NA
Microsoft OneCare
Microsoft SCEP
Microsoft Security Essentials
NOD 32
Panda
PC Tools
SecureIT
Sophos
SpySweeper AV
Symantec
Symantec Corp
TrendMicro
TrendMicro Corp
Vipre Antivirus
ZoneAlarm
Below are the approved anti-virus software applications for Macintosh:
Avast
BitDefender
ClamXav
iAntivirus
Intego
Kaspersky
MacKeeper
McAfee
Norton
Panda
Sophos
TrendMicro
UNF also provides an anti-virus/anti-spyware client to students free of charge.
There is a link where you may download and install Symantec, which is free to you while you are attending classes at UNF.
To install the software for the 32-bit version of Windows, click here.
To install the software for the 64-bit version of Windows, click here.
To install the software for OS X, click here.
2. Microsoft OS updates and security patches (Windows users):
You will be prompted to set your system to automatically download and install all Microsoft updates and security patches from the Microsoft Windows Update server. If you modify this configuration while connected to OspreyNet your Internet access will be blocked until the configuration is corrected.
3. Peer-2-Peer file sharing (Windows users):
UNF does not allow Peer-2-Peer file sharing on the campus network. Your system will be checked and if any application classified as P2P is found on your system your Internet access will be blocked until it is removed or disabled.
There is a link where you may download and install Symantec, which is free to you while you are attending classes at UNF.
This Anti-Virus warning screen will vary depending on the state of your system. Follow the instructions to either install anti-virus software or start your existing anti-virus application. You will not have Internet access until your machine meets these anti-virus requirements!
If you virus definitions are out-of-date you will be warned as follows:
- First Warning - 12 hours to update.
- Second Warning - 12 hours to update
- Third Warning - your internet access will be blocked
If you go through all three warnings and are blocked from internet access you may not be able to update your virus definitions. Therefore your internet access will, in effect, be permanently blocked unless you find a way to update them manually. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! 24 hours is more than enough time to update your virus definitions.
Microsoft OS updates and security patches (Windows users):
You will be prompted to set your system to automatically download and install all Microsoft updates and security patches from the Microsoft Windows Update server. If you modify this configuration while connected to OspreyNet your Internet access will be blocked until the configuration is corrected.
Peer-2-Peer file sharing (Windows users):
UNF does not allow Peer-2-Peer file sharing on the campus network. Your system will be checked and if any application classified as P2P is found on your system your Internet access will be blocked until it is removed or disabled.
