If you are the primary user of a Library laptop computer, you have some extra data and network security responsibilities. These duties are explained below.

1. Periodic laptop maintanence and security scans

All laptop users need to bring their laptops into the Library Systems Office for periodic maintenance and security scans; when it is your turn to come in for this checkup, the LSO will send you an e-mail.

2. Virus software updates

It is important to keep your virus softare up-to-date. Be sure to update the the virus engine and virus "signatures" whenever you are connected to the internet. If you are unsure how to do this, bring your laptop into the Library Systems Office and we will install a shortcut on your desktop so all you have to do is connect to the internet and click on the shortcut to update your virus software.

3. Security patch alerts

If your laptop is set up to automatically update operating system patches, whenever Microsoft issues such a patch and your laptop is plugged into the network the laptop will download and install the patch. If you are unsure if your laptop is set to automatically update itself, or you need help in setting it to do so, please contact the Library Systems Office so we can assist you.

Note that because many patches are very large your laptop may not be able to download patches if connected to the Internet via modem, so it is always a good idea to bring your laptop to work every week and connect it to the Library's network for several hours. Think of it as recharging the laptop's security battery.

Applying security patches yourself

The Library Systems Office can apply security patches to desktop computers remotely and in the off-hours but, because there is no way of knowing when Library laptops are on the network, we cannot do the same with laptops. So you, the primary laptop user, must make sure the laptop operating system is patched. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you must bring the laptop into the Library Systems Office when alerted and we will do this for you (see the next entry).

Having the Library Systems Office apply security patches

If you are not comfortable applying security patches yourself, or are unsure if the patches were properly applied, bring the laptop into the Library Systems Office and we will assist you. As mentioned above, we will alert laptop users when patches need to be applied.