Return to Security Checklist

You always want to unplug your computer from the campus network when you perform a full system reinstallation. This is because a freshly installed operating system is highly vulnerable to attacks from viruses, worms, and the like.

Once you're done installing and securing the system, you can plug your machine back in to the network. Until then, leave it unplugged. If you have a removable wireless card in your laptop, you might want to pull it out and set it aside while you work.

If you think you'll need to download programs or drivers to help you set up and secure your new operating system installation, you should either retrieve those resources off of the network before you set about reinstalling your system, or you should have a second machine available.

A second computer can be especially important on campus, because you might not be able to access network resources from an infected machine. OIT Security disables the network access of all known infected hosts, so they cannot infect other machines on campus.

Top of Page