Safe-Connect Questions and Troubleshooting Suggestions
List of Questions
- Why does Safe-Connect tell me I have to install Policy Key when I have it installed?
- Why does Safe-Connect tell me I need to have an anti-virus application installed when I have an up-to-date anti-virus application installed and running?
- What am I allowed to access when quarantined by Safe-Connect?
- Can I download operating system software security updates while quarantined by Safe-Connect?
- Why am I told my installation of Windows is invalid when I run Windows Update Service?
- Do I have to use the Safe-Connect Policy Key?
- What happens if I uninstall the Safe-Connect Policy Key?
- How do I know the Safe-Connect Policy Key application is running?
- Is the Safe-Connect Policy Key application compatible with my computer?
- What does the Safe-Connect Policy Key application do?
- What applications are needed to comply with college policy?
- What are the benefits of Safe-Connect?
- What if my computer is not up-to-date?
- What about my privacy?
What is probably happening is that your Windows firewall is blocking the Policy Key from communicating with the Safe-Connect. What you need to do is add the Policy Key as an exception. To do this, open Security Center and click on “manage firewall”. In the new window that comes up, there will be an exceptions tab. Click that tab, then click the “Add” button. Navigate to the Policy Key and click “OK”.
WARNING: If your computer has a firewall besides Windows Firewall, you will need to add "c:\program files\impulse\policykey.exe" as an exception. Common firewalls include the Norton and McAfee packages. To add policykey.exe as an exception for these firewalls, consult your program documentation.
These are the possible problems associated with Safe-Connect and anti-virus software.
The anti-virus program you are using isn't recognized by Safe-Connect. A list of anti-virus programs recognized by Safe-Connect is provided below.
The anti-virus software you have isn't up-to-date.
You have two anti-virus programs running at the same time. Having more than one anti-virus program running concurrently can confuse Safe-Connect and cause it to give a false report of no anti-virus program being present.
We recommend you use only one anti-virus program and uninstall all others. Also, left over folders, etc, from uninstalled or incompletely removed anti-virus programs can have a similar effect on Safe-Connect so those should be deleted as well.
Anti-virus Software Recognized by Safe-Connect
McAfee
McAfee NA
McAfee 45
Microsoft One Care
PandaSymantec
Symantec Corporate
TrendMicro
TrendMicro Corporate
Campus provided web sites and services, Microsoft Windows Update Services, and the web sites associated with the recognized anti-virus software.
Yes, any Windows updates your system needs can be downloaded and installed while you are in quarantine.
Windows Update will fail if your Windows Operating System is not properly licensed. You must have a legal copy of the operating system to connect to the university network. Please contact Microsoft or your PC manufacturer with any questions related to licensing.
All computers running Microsoft Windows are required to use the Impulse Policy Key to use the wireless network.
You can uninstall Impulse Policy Key at any time; however within a few minutes you will be quarantined and unable to access off-campus services. You will be required to reinstall the Policy Key as if you are a new user to gain Internet access.
On Windows machines with Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you can right-click any blank space on the task bar at the bottom of your screen and select the option "Task Manager". When the Windows Task Manager appears, click the "Processes" tab and look for the process "PolicyKey.exe" (The Impulse.exe installer is available for download).
Yes. The Impulse Policy Key is compatible with and required for Windows Systems. At the present time, Macintosh, Linux, and FreeBSD machines are not required to install the Policy Key but that may change anytime.
The Impulse Policy Key continuously validates that your system has the minimum security software applications running and is up-to-date according to the college's acceptable use policy.
We require that Windows Automatic Updater is running. You must have an up-to-date anti-virus application running. And if you are using a Microsoft Windows operating system you must have the Safe-Connect Policy Key application running.
Having an anti-spyware application running is NOT required but is recommended.
Deploying the Impulse Safe-Connect network access control system allows the college to provide wireless network services that meet Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustee policy. In addition, Safe-Connect helps individuals know the condition of their computer's configuration in terms of having recent operating system patches and up-to-date anti-virus protection, two common situations that can put your computer and your data at risk.
If the Policy Key application has determined your computer does not meet college requirements your computer will be "quarantined." While quarantined, you will still have access to campus resources and the web services needed for you to bring your computer into compliance.
Your privacy is important to us. The Impulse Policy Key scans only for Windows update services compliance, and anti-virus status. Impulse Safe-Connect doesn’t monitor, collect or store any data about any web sites visited. The college only records which network address was assigned to each user who logs onto the network and how long they used the assigned network address so it can address any reported problems.
