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Essential Information for SSW Students & Faculty Living On Campus

This web page contains esssential information for all SSW students and faculty who will be living in a Smith residence house this summer.

Whenever you attempt to access the Internet from within a Smith residence house, you will be required to complete the Cisco Clean Access (CCA) login procedure:

  • Macintosh users: CCA confirms that you have a valid Smith Novell account.

  • Windows users: CCA does a quick scan of your computer to make sure you have all required Windows updates installed, as well as McAfee VirusScan anti-virus software (provided at no cost by Smith; see step 2 below for details.)

You will receive more information about CCA when you arrive on campus. In the meantime, if at all possible, please complete the 8 steps below before you come to campus.

Note: If you don't have Internet access at home, plan to complete these steps as soon as you arrive on campus.


  1. Windows users: Install all critical Windows updates  REQUIRED for CCA

  2. Windows users: Install McAfee VirusScan  REQUIRED for CCA

  3. Windows users: Remove adware, spyware, and parasiteware

  4. Windows users: Install the GroupWise desktop client for email

  5. All users: Set your computer's power-saver options

  6. All users: Bring an Ethernet cable with you to campus

  7. All users: Be sure you understand Smith's computer repair policy

  8. All users: Learn about wireless computing at Smith

Questions or concerns? Contact the User Support Center


1. Windows users: Install all critical Windows updates. (REQUIRED for CCA)

Microsoft releases a new critical Windows update whenever it discovers a security hole a virus could exploit. These updates are essential for keeping your computer secure, so whenever your computer informs you that new Windows updates are available, install them as soon as you can.

CCA will not allow you to connect to the Smith Residence Network unless all required Windows updates are installed. Window XP users: Note that Service Pack 3 is a required update.

To find out whether you are missing any critical Windows updates:

  1. Open an Internet Explorer window.
  2. Go to Tools / Windows Update.
  3. When the Update page opens, click on the Scan for updates link.
  4. If the scan identifies any missing critical updates, install them right away.

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2. Install McAfee VirusScan. (REQUIRED for CCA & Recommended for Mac users)

Viruses are still rampant on the Internet, but there are easy ways to protect your computer from virus infections. Two of the best virus protection programs available, McAfee VirusScan for Windows and VirusScan for Macintosh, are now available to all members of the Smith community at no cost.

If you are a Windows user living on campus, you are required to have McAfee VirusScan installed on your computer before you can connect to the Internet using CCA.

IMPORTANT: If you already have another anti-virus program on your computer (e.g., Norton Anti-Virus, Sophos, or a trial version of McAfee), you must UNINSTALL the other anti-virus program BEFORE you install VirusScan. Otherwise, neither program will work properly.

It's simple to download and install the appropriate version of McAfee for your computer:

  1. Open a browser window and go to the Smith software download site: http://www.smith.edu/smithsoftware

  2. On the login page, enter your GroupWise username and password.*

  3. On the Software Downloads page, follow the instructions for installing the appropriate version of McAfee for your computer.

*New students: Your GroupWise username is the same as your Moodle username. It is typically the first letter of your first name, plus the first seven letters of your last name. (For example, Anne Robinson's username would be "arobinso".)

Note that there are some exceptions to this rule because of duplicate names and initials. If you try the standard format and it doesn't work, call the User Support Center at 413-585-4487.

Your GroupWise password is same as your Moodle password. Your initial password is typically the first 8 digits of your 9-digit Smith ID number.

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3. Windows users: Remove adware, spyware, and parasiteware.

Adware, spyware, and parasiteware can dramatically slow your computer's performance and interfere with your Internet access. To get rid of them:

  1. Go to the Smith Software site: http://www.smith.edu/smithsoftware

  2. Download and run Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy.

These two programs are designed to detect and remove the adware and parasiteware that has made its way onto your computer. We recommend running them at least once a week.

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4. Windows users: Install the GroupWise desktop client for email.

GroupWise is the official email system used at Smith. It's easy to access your GroupWise account on the Web using GroupWise WebAccess, as follows: 

  1. Open a Web browser and go to the Smith homepage: http://www.smith.edu
  2. Click on the GroupWise Web link at the bottom right of the page.
  3. On the next page, click on the Go button.
  4. On the login page, enter your GroupWise username and password.*

However, using the GroupWise desktop client gives you faster access to your messages and provides some functions that are either unavailable in GroupWise WebAccess or more cumbersome to use.  Some points to consider:

  • If you have high-speed Internet access at home, you can install the GroupWise desktop client anytime. Just go to the Smith software site, enter your GroupWise username and password, scroll to the GroupWise section, and follow the instructions for installing the program.

  • If you don't have high-speed Internet access at home, but will be living on campus this summer or have high-speed Internet access in your off-campus housing, we recommend installing the GroupWise desktop client once you get to Northampton.

  • If you do not have high speed Internet access at home or in Northampton, please continue using GroupWise WebAccess to access your GroupWise email.

NOTE: All official Smith College email is sent to your GroupWise address, and students are responsible for regularly checking their GroupWise email for official college correspondence.

*New students: Your GroupWise username is the same as your Moodle username. It is typically the first letter of your first name, plus the first seven letters of your last name. (For example, Anne Robinson's username would be "arobinso".)

Note that there are some exceptions to this rule because of duplicate names and initials. If you try the standard format and it doesn't work, call the User Support Center at 413-585-4487.

Your GroupWise password is same as your Moodle password. Your initial password is typically the first 8 digits of your 9-digit Smith ID number.

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5. Set your computer's power-saver options.

Please take these simple steps to help save electricity and reduce CO2 emissions:

  1. Go to the Smith software site.
  2. Click on the link for Energy Star.
  3. Windows users: Run the EZ Wizard program.
  4. Macintosh users: Follow the easy instructions for your operating system.

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6. Bring an Ethernet cable with you to campus.

If you already don't have an Ethernet cable, you can buy one in advance or purchase it at the Smith Computer Store for $10.00.

You will receive instructions for connecting to the Internet in your room when you pick up your keys.

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7. Be sure you understand Smith's computer repair policy.

Please keep in mind that ITS does not repair computers that were not purchased through the Smith Computer Store. If your computer is giving you problems now, we strongly suggest that you have it serviced before you come to Smith.

For more information, see: http://www.smith.edu/its/services/computer_repair.html

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8. If your computer has a wireless card, learn about wireless computing at Smith.

Wireless service is now available in the common areas of all Smith residence houses. For connection information, usage guidelines, and other tips for working wirelessly, please read this posting on the TechNotes blog.

The following page lists other wireless locations on campus and explains Smith's wireless connection requirements: http://www.smith.edu/its/tara/smith_network/wireless.html

Please note that setting up personal wireless access points in Smith residence houses is not permitted. For our full wireless policy, see: http://www.smith.edu/its/about_its/wireless_policy.html

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Questions or concerns?

If you have questions or concerns about anything on this web page or other technology-related issues at Smith, please contact the User Support Center:

  • Call the USC at 413-585-4487.  If you call when the office is closed, leave a message and someone will get back to you the next business day.

  • Send an email message to the USC at 4its@email.smith.edu.

  • Visit the USC in Stoddard 23 during their open hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM.

We look forward to seeing you at Smith in June!


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