Security Log File - November 2003

Network Slowness Report - 11/19/2003
In recent days, numerous reports of network slowness from various residential buildings have been reported. After a thorough investigation, Telecommunications reports the slowness to be caused by excessive virus-related traffic on the UNH network.

Following an initiative to protect computers from virus and security threats in September of 2003, a significant number of vulnerable and exploited student computers remained active on the UNH network. Telecommunications staff, in conjunction with CIS, launched a proactive campaign to protect student computers through education, communication and distribution of patches and anti-virus software. Amidst these actions, infected computers remain on the UNH network.

Telecommunications staff employed the use of filters to prevent this virus-related traffic from slowing the UNH network. In addition to preventing malicious traffic, the filters also prevented legitimate traffic, forcing Telecommunications to lift these filters. At such time, exploited, unprotected machines began broadcasting malicious traffic, producing the current network slowness.

In order to maintain a healthy, high-speed network, users must take the necessary steps to ensure their computers are successfully protected. By maintaining up-to-date virus protection software, Windows Updates and critical system patches, incidents of infected machines will reduce allowing for exceptional network performance. Until such time all computers on the UNH network are virus-free and protected, network slowness remains a problematic side-effect. For more information on protecting your computer, please visit http://www.virus.unh.edu.