Desktop Services
Welcome to Desktop Services. Desktop Services provides important campus resources such as Computer Labs, desktop Support, Hardware Recommendations, Helpdesk, Software and Security.
The links below and on the left unveil a wide range of information, support services, hardware, software, and related computing and system resources to faculty and staff at College of Medicine, King Saud University
Desktop Support
CIS provides Information Technology support staff to assist faculty and staff in answering questions and resolving problems, such as recovering lost or damaged data, repairing virus or spyware damage, and replacing failing hardware. To receive support, contact the Helpdesk on Bleep Number 0808 which is at service 24x7 and Ext. 79430
Hardware
We have a Workstation Recommendations Team (WSRT) publishes the minimum hardware recommendations for desktop and laptop computers and all kind of printers. The Hardware link provides current information and resources to assist staff in making purchase decisions of recommended computers, printers, and/or handheld devices. Desktop Support provides additional hardware and software services including set-up, software installation, configuration, and migration of user data to new workstations. An Enhanced Service Agreement (ESA) is available for newly purchased recommended machines covering the three year hardware warrantee period. ESA's are designed to provide maintenance, repair, and upgrades to the software image and operating system.
Helpdesk
CIS provides helpdesk resources and consulting services to help faculty and staff obtain timely and accurate information for using computers and application software.
The KKUH Help Desk is located in Level III Block No. 8 & 9. The Help Desk provides walk-in support and phone consulting services to faculty, staff, and students. We operate 24x7.
Software
Desktop Support provides current software, vendor and license information, and downloads links to Faculty, Staff, and Students for installation of various software titles. Software titles are accessible based upon your department head approvals permission groups and the software license requirements and/or campus agreement.
Security
It is important for you to practice safe computing to protect yourself and the university from network and computer security threats. The negative consequence of an attack can be lost productivity, loss of data, slow performance, inappropriate dissemination of personal and private information, identity theft, fraud, falsification of data and liability. This web page is designed to help you protect against these security threats.
Desktop Security
Just as it is important for network and system administrators to take measures to protect network gateways and servers, it is important for you to practice safe computing to protect yourself and the university from network and computer security threats. If you use your computer to share information, browse the internet, send and receive e-mail, download and upload files, then your computer may be vulnerable to attack, may become infected with a virus, may be overwhelmed with spyware or spam, and may be high jacked to be used for malicious purposes or gather personal information.
The negative consequence of an attack can be lost productivity, loss of data, slow performance, inappropriate dissemination of personal and private information, identity theft, fraud, falsification of data and liability. This web page is designed to help you protect against these security threats.
1. Use and protect strong passwords.
2. Install and maintain firewall, anti-virus, anti-spam and anti-spyware software
3. Automatically apply operating system and application critical updates.
4. Practice safe computing.
Strong Passwords
If a hacker obtains your username and password, he has access to any system authenticated by that username and password. Thus it is important to create a password that is difficulty to crack.
· Longer passwords are better than shorter passwords. SacLink requires your password to be between 6 and 14 characters.
· Use a variety of characters, numbers and punctuation marks.
· Use upper and lower case. Remember that 'a' is different than 'A'.
· Choose a password that is easy to remember but hard to guess. This will reduce the need to write down the password.
· Substitute symbols for letters and characters for words. For example, use $ for 'S', ^ for 'A', @ for 'a', + for 't', etc. and 1 for 'won', 2 for 'to', 4 for 'for', use 8 for 'ate', etc.
Once you have created a strong password, it is important to safeguard your password.
· Don't write down your password.
· Don't share your password with others.
· Don't save your password on computer systems.
· Only enter your username and password at trusted sites.
Security Software
Modern day operating system and applications are designed to provide a secure computer environment. They allow us to share information between computers; browse the internet; send and receive e-mail; and download and upload files. However, this open environment can make computers vulnerable to attack. To protect your computing environment, install and run current operating system, applications and security applications. Always check with a qualified computer consultant before upgrading or installing software on your computer.
· Make sure your username and password are encrypted before transmitting it over the internet.
· Use secure http, ftp and telnet.
· Use Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Critical Updates
Modern day operating system and applications are complex. They may be vulnerable to unforeseen security threats. Manufacturers develop patches, critical updates and service packs to correct these vulnerabilities. Make sure you regularly apply security updates to operating systems, security applications and office applications.
· Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 - It important to make sure that your operating system is always updated with the latest Microsoft OS releases. Windows XP Service Pack 2 is the current recommended Service Pack for Windows XP. To set update options on your computer, go the desktop and right-click on 'My Computer'. Select 'Properties'. Select 'Automatic Updates.' Choose 'Automatic (recommended)'. Choose 'Every day' at '12:00PM.' Automatic updates will periodically check the internet for critical updates and apply them at the set time. Thus it is important to have your computer running at the scheduled time. Additionally, you can visit the Microsoft Windows update web site and manually check for updates.
See http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/.
· Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2 - Office update requires you to visit the Office Update site to manually check for updates.
See http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/.
· Windows Defender - Download and install Windows Defender to help protect your computer against common forms of spyware and other unwanted programs. To check if Windows Defender is updated with the latest definition version, go to 'Start' and select 'All Programs'. Click on the 'Windows Defender" application icon. View your definition version under 'Status' at the bottom of the window. To manually update your definition files, click the small "Down-Arrow" to the right of the 'Help' menu icon. Select "About Windows Defender". Click 'Check for updates' menu. Click 'Ok' and 'Close'.
· Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 - To automatically check for updates; click on the down arrow in the top right corner to select the "Access application menu." Select "Tools -> Options." In the "Automatic updates" section, check "Once a day" and "Download codec’s automatically." To manually check for updates, click on the down arrow in the top right corner to select the "Access application menu." Select "Help -> Check for Player Updates."
· Firefox 1.5 - By default, Firefox will automatically download and install updates. However, you can also check for updates by clicking on Help -> Check for Updates.
Safe Computing
The best way to protect your computer is follow safe computing practices.
· Run current operating system, application, and internet browsing software.
· Run current firewall, anti-virus, anti-spam and anti-spyware software.
· Automatically apply current patches, updates and service packs to operating system, applications and security applications.
· Configure and run hardware (i.e. desktop based, router based, and/or network based) firewall.
· Uninstall or turn off unnecessary operating system services.
· Configure your screen saver to require authentication (i.e. username/password) to resume use.
· Limit physical access to your computer.
Help protect personal and private information by following these guidelines.
· Use strong passwords which contain upper and lower case characters, numbers and punctuation.
· Don't share your username and passwords with others.
· Access trusted sites using encrypted authentication (https://).
· Don't download and install software unless from a trusted site.
· Don't open an e-mail attachment unless you are expecting the attachment and it is from a confirmed trusted individual.
· Consider using an alternative browser to Internet Explorer (IE) such as Firefox unless the functionality of IE is required.
· Store critical files on a network share which is backed up and password protected.
· Develop a backup strategy and backup your data.
· Collect and retain only that data which is essential to the performance of assigned tasks.
· Delete personal information when there is no longer a business need for its retention on computing systems.
· Never leave sensitive data exposed on computer screens when not in use.
· Minimize the storage of personal and private information.
· Do not store personal and private information on mobile devices such as laptops, personal data assistant, and cell phones that can be stolen or misplaced.
· If unsure about security, contact a computer professional.