Campus-wide spyware and virus removal as a method of teaching information security

ABSTRACT

As Armstrong Atlantic State University prepares to enter the wireless world during the 2006-07 academic year, it is important that those connecting to the university's network use notebook computers that are free from viruses and malware. In order to help secure the network, Information Technology students were given practical experience by organizing and performing virus and malware scans on student notebook computers. As an incentive to participate, students were provided flash memory jump drives containing various security programs to be installed and executed on their computers. These were purchased as part of an AASU Teaching and Learning Grant approved by the university in November, 2005 This paper describes this important project, its outcomes, and future pedagogical implications.

REFERENCES

• 1: AASU Campus IT Documents (Policies). Retrieved May 30, 2006, from http://www.cis.armstrong.edu/cispolicies/index.html
• 2: Halpert, Benjamin J. Mobile Device Security Management. 2006 Readings and Cases in the Management of Information Security, edited by Whitman, Michael E. & Mattord, Herbert J. Boston: Thomson Course Technology, p. 5
• 3: Bruce Potter, Wireless hotspots: petri dish of wireless security, Communications of the ACM, v.49 n.6, June 2006 [doi>10.1145/1132469.1132501]
• 4: Ramel, David. (2006, May 23) Wireless LANs: 10 best practices for the worst WLAN security. Retrieved May 30, 2006, from http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleld=9000699&pageNumber=2
• 5: Whitman, Michael E. & Mattord, Herbert J. 2005 Principles of Information Security, 2nd ed. Boston: Thomson Course Technology, pp. 204--205

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.4 COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY
      K.4.1 Public Policy Issues
          Subjects: Abuse and crime involving computers

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.4 COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY
      K.4.1 Public Policy Issues
          Subjects: Privacy; Ethics
      K.4.2 Social Issues
          Subjects: Abuse and crime involving computers**

General Terms:
Economics, Legal Aspects, Management, Security

Keywords:
design, information security, information security awareness programs, information security education