Information Technology

Make sure that you are spelling your username and password correctly. Once you have an account set up, go ahead and log in.

• Click on the Username field and enter your username: Firstname.Lastname (don't forget the period between the two).
• Click on the Password field and enter your password: Birthdate (yymmdd).
  1. If your birthdate does not work, then the last 6 digits of your SSN should be used.
  2. If neither of the above work, insert 6 blank characters into the password field.
  3. Anyone signing on will be required to change their initial password.

Your Username is your first name followed by a dot and then your last name. For example: Sandra Smith would log in as Sandra.Smith.

There is a password retrieval function found on the login page. After entering your Username your password will be e-mailed to you.

The class may not be using Desire2Learn. It may be a classroom only course.

If you enrolled or just registered recently, your account may not be set up yet. If this is the case you can contact the Information Technology Department for assistance.

If you can log in on campus but not at home then the problem is most likely with your setup at home. Some of the most common issues are:

1. Cookies must be enabled on your computer
2. Java must be enabled on your computer
3. The firewall on your home computer may be affecting the performance of Desire2Learn.

A computer virus is a small software program or a piece of code that is self replicating. It attaches itself to other programs on your computer. A virus is generally put onto your computer without your knowledge. It can be nothing more than a minor annoyance or it can bring your whole system down by reformatting your hard drive or destroying files. Viruses are becoming very common they are spread mostly through e-mail and Internet downloads.

Worms are are also self replicating programs that do not have to attach themselves to other programs like viruses do. They can also be spread through e-mail and computer downloads. Worms can send copies of themselves to other computers by using your e-mail and address book. Because worms spread so rapidly they can clog networks and slow the Internet traffic way down.

Trojans do not replicate themselves. They allow someone else complete access to your computer. With that access they can steal passwords, and corrupt your files. They can also find there way onto your computer via e-mail or downloading from the Internet.

There are some things that you can do to help protect yourself:

Do Not:

1. Open an e-mail or an e-mail attachment that looks suspicious.
2. Open an e-mail attachment from someone that you do not know.
3. Never download files from a site that you do not trust.

Do:

1. Use a personal firewall to limit access to what comes into your computer.
2. Use a virus scan and keep it up to date.
3. Backup important files frequently.