Brendan Hughes

Problems arose on Tuesday, when students attempting to surf the web were presented with perpetual ‘loading’ screens. While access to Queen’s sites appeared unaffected, external site availability seemed haphazard.

Mr Jim Cunningham from the IT Systems & Services department at Queen’s, said, “The problem stems from students not using up to date antivirus on their laptops.”

“Janet Cert, who we connect to for internet access, sent us a series of complaints about machines in other universities being attacked by QUB-based IP addresses.  To prevent us from being ‘kicked off’ the network, we had to take prompt action, and turned on a tool that weeds out outward bound attacks…This tool caused the performance problem. Without exact details of source of the problem, at short notice we had no choice but to scan all traffic for virus content.”

Mr Cunningham said they are tackling the problem, and that for the vast majority of students and staff at Queen’s, internet access should now be back to normal. He also advised all Queen’s students using laptops to ensure they use up-to-date Antivirus and Firewall software to lessen these sorts of issues in future.

“It is a common problem each year as new student machines start connecting to the network…Computer users have different skill/knowledge levels and this will always be the case, whether staff or student. Generally this is more a case of lack of knowledge about the risks or what is available.

Free Antiviris and Firewall software options are discussed at:

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/InformationServices/StudentComputing/SupportingmyStudies/ProtectingmyComputer/