Impulse Safe•Connect™
What am I allowed to access when quarantined?
Can I download operating system software security updates while quarantined by Impulse?
When I run Windows Update Services, I get a message stating that the product key used to install windows is invalid. Why?
Do I have to use the Impulse Policy Key?
What happens if I uninstall the Impulse Policy Key?
How do I know the Impulse Policy Key is running?
Is the Impulse Policy Key compatible with my system?
My gaming console does not have a web browser. How will I connect to the internet?
What does the Impulse Policy Key actually do?
What are these selected applications?
What are the benefits?
What if my system is not up-to-date?
What about my privacy?
How do I set it up?
What am I allowed to access when quarantined?
On-Campus Remediation Services like Anti-Virus Software and Internet sites such as Microsoft and Grisoft, along with other on-campus resources you may need.Can I download operating system software security updates while quarantined by Impulse?
No. Any Windows Updates your system needs should be downloaded prior to coming to campus or installed after you are out of quarantine mode.The same applies to virus definitions from most of the major anti-virus providers and to anti-Spyware updates from Microsoft, Spybot and Ad-Aware.
When I run Windows Update Services, I get a message stating that the product key used to install windows is invalid. Why?
Windows Update will fail if your Windows Operating System is not properly licensed. You must have a legal copy of the operating system to connect to ResNet. Please contact Microsoft or your PC manufacturer with questions.Do I have to use the Impulse Policy Key?
Yes. All Microsoft Windows PCs are required to use the Impulse Policy Key to ensure a safe computing environment for all and it is required for network access.What happens if I uninstall the Impulse Policy Key?
You can uninstall Impulse Policy Key at any time; however within minutes you will then be unable to access the Internet. You will be required to reinstall the Policy Key as if you are a new user to gain Internet access.How do I know the Impulse Policy Key is running?
On Windows machines with Windows XP, you can right-click any blank space on the task bar at the bottom of your screen and select the option "Task Manager". When the Windows Task Manager appears, click the "Processes" tab and look for the process "PolicyKey.exe". On Windows Vista, the process is called "scManager.sys".Is the Impulse Policy Key compatible with my system?
Yes. The Impulse Policy Key is compatible with and required for Windows Systems. At the present time, Macintosh, Linux, and FreeBSD machines are not required to install the Policy Key.My gaming console does not have a web browser. How will I connect to the internet?
Game consoles like Xbox, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 should just work on our network. IT helpdesk does not provide support.What does the Impulse Policy Key actually do?
The Impulse Policy Key continuously validates that your system has the minimum security software running and up-to-date as per Alvernia's Internet Use Policy. The Impulse Policy Key will also certify that certain applications, prohibited by School policy, are not running.What are these selected applications?
Once the Impulse Policy Key is enabled, we will require that your Windows Automatic Updater is running. You must have running anti-virus software installed with the most current definitions available. You must also have anti-Spyware installed and running.What are the benefits?
The Impulse Policy Key is part of the Alvernia's effort to help you keep your computers as free as possible from viruses, Spyware, and operating system security holes. Machines protected in this way generally perform much better and require much less downtime due to damage caused by malicious software.Also, the Impulse Policy Key can help to ensure that the average user has the fastest possible browsing experience while connected to Resnet. It does this by:
| • | Ensuring that communication from malicious software does not flood Alvernia's Internet connection, resulting in much slower connections for legitimate users. |
| • | Restricting certain applications that would otherwise consume an unfairly large share of Alvernia's bandwidth, again resulting in a slower connection for the majority of users. |
What if my system is not up-to-date?
If your system has been determined not to be up-to-date, your computer will be "quarantined." While quarantined, you will still have access to update servers for anti-Spyware and anti-virus software.What about my privacy?
Your privacy is important to us. The Impulse Policy Key scans only for Windows update services compliance, anti-virus and anti-Spyware status and certain P2P file sharing applications. No user data is collected or stored.How do I set it up?
| 1. | Plug into a wired network port in the residence hall |
| 2. | Open your Microsoft Internet Explorer browser |
| 3. | Within a minute or so you will be prompted with the Safe•Connect screen |
| 4. | Click on the link to accept Alvernia's policy and install the Impulse Policy Key |
| 5. | A few seconds after the installation is complete, you will receive a web page informing you of any steps required to ensure your system's security. If your system is already in compliance with school policies, you will be free to access the web immediately. |