Potentially Infected Computer Notification
You have been directed to this page because your computer has been blocked from accessing Cal Poly's wireless network. A block is placed when the university is notified that a user and/or their computer is engaged in activity that poses a threat to other users or systems or the university is required by policy or law to terminate access.
Although your personal computer has been blocked on the wireless network, your campus accounts are still active and you can still access campus services via the My Cal Poly portal using available computers in the University Union, the Learning Commons in the library, or a college or departmental lab.
Please review the information below to understand why your access has been blocked and what actions must be taken before your access can be restored. If you have any questions or concerns, contact abuse@calpoly.edu.
Why Has My Wireless Access Been Blocked?
Your access was blocked because your computer is suspected of being infected with a virus, worm, botnet or other malicious code (aka "malware"). Information Technology Services (ITS) received one or more complaints of SPAM, port scanning or other suspicious activity typically associated with an infected computer. Using campus resources to propagate SPAM or malware or attack other users or systems is a violation of law and university policy.
ITS traced the suspect activity to your computer based on the IP address and the date and time it occured. Additional information is being sent to your Cal Poly email account.
Actions Required to Restore Network Access
Before network access can be restored, you must complete each of the following steps.
- Review Cal Poly's Responsible Use of Information Technology Resources Policy which you acknowledged and agreed to abide by when you received your Cal Poly username or changed your Cal Poly password.
- Take appropriate steps to have the suspected infection cleaned and removed from your computer by downloading, installing and updating your antivirus software and using it to identify and remove the malware.
- You can obtain university licensed antivirus software at no charge. Download and Install Antivirus Software for Use On Your Own Computer.
- Faculty and staff should contact the ITS Service Desk at 805-756-7000 for assistance.
- NOTE: A computer with network connectivity is needed to download the installation and update files to removable media for use on the infected computer.
- Free online security scans and virus removal services can be used to identify and remove malware. They are especially useful as a precaution to ensure that your regular antivirus program found everything.
- If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, consider using an off-campus computer repair service.
- If desired, bring your laptop to the ITS Service Desk window (Natatorium 46-100) during normal working hours (M-F, 8-5) to verify that your antivirus program is up-to-date and properly configured.
- Once the infection has been successfully removed, use an update to download and install the latest security patches for your computer's operating system and other software. Set update to automatically download and install critical patches. Review and adjust your computer's firewall or other security settings as needed.
- Review the following sites to learn how to protect yourself and your computer:
- Send an email to abuse@calpoly.edu confirming that you have complied with Steps 1 through 4 and to verify that the problem has been fixed, the computer is patched and running current antivirus software, and to request removal of the block. Please reference our case number (CP#) in the subject line or message body.
- NOTE: If this is your first offense, the incident will be documented and closed. Repeat offenders will be referred to the appropriate university authority for further action in accordance with campus policies.
