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These Frequently Asked Questions have been compiled to share information about SafeConnect with students who live in Residential Housing. These questions have been grouped into categories to better organize information.
Click the links below to find answers to many specific questions. If you have remaining questions after reviewing the information provided, please contact us at (831) 459-4638 or submit an ITRequest Ticket.
- How does SafeConnect benefit me?
- What does the SafeConnect Policy Key Client actually do?
- What do I need to do?
- How long will it take me to install the SafeConnect Policy Key Client?
- Where can I download the key?
- How do I install the SafeConnect Policy Key for a Macintosh computer?
- SafeConnect and Its Impact
- How intrusive is SafeConnect?
- Do I have to use the SafeConnect Policy Key Client?
- Is the SafeConnect Policy Key Client compatible with my computer system?
- What happens if I uninstall the SafeConnect Policy Key Client?
- What if my system is not up-to-date with patches?
- How do I configure my firewall to permit the SafeConnect Policy Key Client to communicate with SafeConnect server?
- Will SafeConnect be configured on the wireless networks?
- How often will I be asked to reauthenticate?
- Do I need the SafeConnect Policy Key Client installed on a Linux system?
- Do I need the SafeConnect Policy Key Client installed on Mac 10.3 and lower?
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How does SafeConnect benefit me?SafeConnect is part of UCSC's effort to keep computers and networks as free as possible from viruses, spyware, and operating system security holes. Networks protected in this way generally perform much better and experience less downtime due to malicious software damage. As a member of the UCSC network, you will benefit by knowing your computer is properly configured and protected. You will also have reasonable assurance that others connected to the network are also protected and won't pose an avoidable threat to your computer or network access.
The Impulse Policy Key continuously validates that your system's security requirements are up-to-date as per the UCSC's acceptable use policy. Your privacy is important to us. No user data is collected or stored and the tool does not gather hardware statistics.
*For your computer to operate in a SafeConnect protected network you will need to download (Windows Policy Key or Mac Policy Key), install the SafeConnect Policy Key Client and know your CruzID blue username/password.
**If you have previously installed the SafeConnect Policy Key Client you will:-Automatically be prompted to authenicate to SafeConnect-Enter your CruzID blue username and password-Receive a confirmation message that you have successfully authenticated
***If you have NOT previously installed the SafeConnect Policy Key Client you will:
-Launch a web browser-When prompted, authenticate by entering your CruID blue username and password.
-When prompted, download and install the SafeConnect Policy Key Client.(Windows Policy Key or Mac Policy Key)-Receive a confirmation message when you have successfully authenticated.How long will it take me to install the SafeConnect Policy Key Client?
About 1 minute.
Users will be prompted to download the PolicyKey at the first contact with the network. To install it prior to that time, Mac users may obtain the Policy Key from here and Windows users, from here.
-Navigate to your broswers downloads directory.-Double-click on the SafeConnectMacInstaller.zip, this will unzip the file. If you used Sarfari, skip this step.-Double-click on the installer to begin the installation.
SafeConnect and its Impact
SafeConnect is not intrusive at all. It only requires software to be installed on each computer that is trying to access the network. The PolicyKey cannot be used to install software or run scans on your computer; it offers no remote access in anyway. The PolicyKey is used to provide an answer to yes/no questions for the purpose of validating that a security standard is met.Yes you do. All Microsoft Windows PCs and Macintosh computers are required to use the Impulse Policy Key; it is required for network access.
The SafeConnect Policy Key Client is compatible with and required for Windows XP and up, as well as Mac OS X Tiger and up. At the present time, Linux and FreeBSD machines are not required to install the Policy Key.
You can uninstall SafeConnect Policy Key Client at any time; however within minutes you will then be unable to access University network resources. You will be required to reinstall the Policy Key to regain network access.
If your system has been determined to be not up-to-date, your computer will be “quarantined.” While quarantined, you will still have access to the main UCSC site for academic resources such as online learning tools and online registration, as well as updates for your operating system, antispyware, and antivirus software. For assistance, please contact ResNet at (831)459-4638
How do I configure my firewall to permit the SafeConnect Policy Key Client to communicate with SafeConnect server?
-Open Security Center
-Click manage firewall-In the new window that is displayed, click the Exception tab,-Click the Add.-Navigate to the Policy Key-Click OK.
No, at this time SafeConnect will only be active on the Residential Network.
You will be required to log into SafeConnect on their computers every 6 days. If, however, another individual logs into the computer after you log out, you will be required to log into SafeConnect when you use that computer again.
Although, there is no SafeConnect client available for Linux systems. Linux users will authenticate using their CruzID blue username and password via a web page
SafeConnect Policy Key client is not available for Macintosh OS 10.3 and lower. Individuals using these systems will only need to authenticate using their CruzID blue username and password via a web page.