<p>Have you looked at the instructions from IT for securing our students' computers? </p>
<p>There is no way on God's earth that we will able to do that. No ideal what we will do now.</p>
<p>There is a number on the website for the help desk in the IT dept. My H spoke with them the other day. I would start there (or have your D talk to them - the teens are often better at this than their parents!).</p>
<p>That’s great advice. Thanks so much. I wasn’t sure who would be on campus at this time. Thanks!</p>
<p>zm, I just took a look, and they’re making it sound more complicated than it really is. She just needs an anti-virus program and an anti-spyware program. (I assume she already knows about not opening attachments from suspicious senders, etc., in other words, basic computer security.) </p>
<p>For antivirus software I like AVGFree better than McAfee, not to mention that it’s easier to install and use: [AVG</a> Anti-Virus Free Edition](<a href=“Welcome AVG AntiVirus Free users - CNET Download”>Welcome AVG AntiVirus Free users - CNET Download)</p>
<p>For malware/spyware, Spybot is excellent: [The</a> home of Spybot-S&D](<a href=“http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html]The”>Products - Spybot Anti-Malware and Antivirus : Spybot Anti-Malware and Antivirus)</p>
<p>But as LINYMOM says, I’m sure the computer techs at UD will be happy to help her.</p>
<p>What about the router and ethernet cable?</p>
<p>You don’t need a router - that’s only if you’re setting up a wireless network, which is unnecessary. </p>
<p>As for the ethernet cable (your D’s computer undoubtedly came with one, although if you want a long one to make sure it reaches the plug, you can buy a 20’ one for about $10 at Target):</p>
<p>
[Connecting</a> Your Computer to the Campus Network Through a Direct Network Connection](<a href=“http://www.udel.edu/topics/connect/ethernet/index.html]Connecting”>http://www.udel.edu/topics/connect/ethernet/index.html)</p>
<p>Bear in mind that these pages were written a while ago: 1) they don’t even mention Windows7, which would be the operating system on most new PCs; 2) virtually every computer comes with an ethernet adapter now - it’s standard equipment, and 3) they talk about phone modems, which are dinosaurs. They are ‘over-instructing’, if you will, for anyone with an old machine, and it makes the whole process look much more complicated than it really is. I’m sure your D will figure it out!</p>
<p>
Thank you. I feel so much better now! She has a brand new Dell.</p>
<p>It will all be fine. 
Writing or reading the instructions for how to do certain basic things on a PC takes longer than actually doing them!</p>
<p>But thank you for bringing this up - it prompted me to send those pages to S so he knows what he needs to do when he gets there!</p>
<p>On move-in day there are IT people around helping with setup if you need it.</p>
<p>I remember it being painless. There was a process to sort of register your IP or MAC address before being allowed to connect to the network fully. There were techies roaming around asking if we needed assistance.</p>
<p>It’s so easy. You just hook up the ethernet cable, there is an outlet in every room. When your computer powers up and you open a browser it goes right to UD Network and takes you through the steps. Online in less than 15 minutes.</p>
<p>I run a mac, and don’t have anti-virus on mine, and it’s never been a problem.</p>