About UAB IT WiFi
Using the UAB Wireless Network
UAB IT provides a wireless network in support of the academic, research, and administrative work of the UAB community. This wireless network serves classrooms, common areas, green spaces, and many other popular areas around campus.
To use this network, you must have a computer with a wireless network adapter. Three wireless networks are available:
- UAB wifi-nac
- Provides a more secure and seamless wireless environment for all UAB wireless network users. uabwifi-nac is the recommended wireless network for all wireless users and is currently the only wireless network available to students.
- UAB wifi
- UABVisitor (for guest access use only)
Setup Instructions
Faculty & Staff / Students - Setup Instructions for Windows and Mac
Faculty & Staff / Students - Setup Instructions for iOS Devices
Issues with WiFi
If you have an issue with the UAB WiFi network please report those concerns to AskIT ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.uab.edu/askit; 205-996-5555)
Encryption
PGP Whole Disk Encryption software (or FileVault for Macs) is designed to provide an additional layer of security for your data. Encryption is required for laptops used for UAB Business, and it is highly recommended for desktops in theft-prone areas. PGP software essentially "locks down" your hard drive, making the data accessible only to you and those you authorize. The disk encryption, in conjunction with logon and screensaver passwords, protects UAB data if the computer is lost or stolen.
Encryption Methods:
- Encrypting with Mac OS X FileVault 10.7 (Lion)
- Encrypting with Mac OS X FileVault 10.6 or Below
- PGP Whole Disk Encryption: Windows Installation Instructions
- PGP Whole Disk Encryption: Mac OS Installation Instructions
- Linux Encrypted File System: Fedora
- Linux Encrypted File System: Ubuntu
- Linux Encrypted File System: Ubuntu (advanced configuration)
- Microsoft BitLocker on Windows 8
Additional PGP Documentation:
- PGP Client License Troubleshooting
- Adding and Removing Users in PGP Desktop
- Portable Drives
- Virtual Disks
- Zip Encrypted Archives
- Shredder
- Reporting Issues
- Drive Recovery
- PGP Guide for Campus Administrators
- Windows XP Preinstallation Environment (PE) for PGP Whole Disk Encryption
- Devices Incompatible with PGP
Gartner Research
Gartner Research
Provided as a service to the UAB Community through UAB IT, Gartner delivers technology-related insight and information to chief information officers and senior IT executives around the world. Through UAB's agreement with Gartner much of that insight and information is now available to all current UAB faculty, staff, and students.
Once logged on you can browse the site or search for specific research information. You can also set up alerts to automatically notify you when new information is added related to a topic of interest. Searching, browsing, and alerts are all free to use. Gartner also creates your profile using the Blazer login information. Profiles can easily be customized within the Gartner service. A link called "Your Profile" is at the top of every Gartner page.
The "Ask an Analyst" feature shown on the web site is not included free to Reference Users. Use of that feature is available only to certain Advisor Users and may result in additional costs to the University. Ask an Analyst provides one-to-one live contact for requesting additional research.
The Quickstart Guide provides more detail on how to search, browse, and set up alerts. The Registration section is not appropriate to UAB as you logon as indicated above through BlazerNet...do not follow the Registration instructions in the Quickstart Guide.
Portable Computing Security Initiative
Do you use your laptop for UAB business?
Do you provide your own tech support?
Has your laptop been encrypted?
If you answered yes to the first two questions but have not encrypted your laptop, you are encouraged to take advantage of the options listed below to protect UAB data by encrypting your laptop.
HSIS Customers: Please contact the Health System Information Services (HSIS) Help Desk at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 205-934-8888 for assistance with laptop encryption.
AskIT Customers: Please choose from the options listed below or contact the AskIT help desk at 205-996-5555 for assistance with laptop encryption.
Laptop Encryption Options:
Option 1 - Option 1 - Let Us Do It For You-!
This option requires that the laptop is dropped off at one of our locations for at least 1-2 business days. The following procedures will be performed on your machine:
- Backing up your data
- Verifying or installing antivirus software
- Updating antivirus definitions and scanning for viruses
- Scanning with hardware diagnostic software
- Installing operating system updates
- Defragmenting the hard drive
- Encrypting your laptop
Option 2 - Do It Yourself: "How-To" Documentation & Training Videos
This is a do it yourself option. Please refer to the documentation and training videos on the following topics for information on how to configure and encrypt laptop computers.
- How to create a strong password
- How to configure your laptop
- How to scan for missing patches
- How to update applications
- How to install OS updates
- How to install antivirus
- How to backup your machine
- How to defragment your hard drive
- How to run SpinRite hardware diagnostic software
- How to encrypt your laptop
Please feel free to contact us with any questions through our help desk, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by email or phone at 205-996-5555.
Install Antivirus - Video & Documents
Antivirus software protects your computer from malicious files and exploits by scanning files on access and creation. The effectiveness of the antivirus software's ability to detect malicious files is based on the definition files that are updated seveeral times a day by the manufacturer. Therefore, it is important that the antivirus software is updated regularly to detect the latest threats.
Videos:
Documents:
Encryption Option 1: Let Us Do It For You!
To schedule an appointment to have your laptop encrypted, please contact the AskIT help desk at 205-996-5555. The following procedures will be performed on your laptop or notebook computer:
- Backing up your data
- Verifying or installing antivirus software
- Updating antivirus definitions and scanning for viruses
- Scanning with hardware diagnostic software
- Installing operating system updates
- Defragmenting the hard drive
- Encrypting your laptop
Please be advised:
- If you have a dual-boot (dual operating system), Dell Inspiron M1210, Dell E5400, Dell XPS, Dell Media Direct, Mac, Linux or IBM system, please call AskIT at 205-996-5555 before scheduling an appointment.
- You will need to bring your power supply with your laptop.
- The AskIT (CEC 225) location is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- It will take approximately 15 minutes to fill out the paperwork when you drop off your laptop computer, and approximately five minutes to complete the paperwork when you pick it up.
- The duration of the appointments (from the time you drop your laptop computer off, to the time you pick it up) are approximately 1-3 business days. If you come after 11:00 a.m. on the day of your appointment, the duration of your appointment may two business days.
BlazerID Login Required: In order to schedule a Health Check appointment you will need to login with your BlazerID and strong password. If you are unable to login, please visit BlazerID Central and choose "Activate Accounts" to determine whether you have a "strong "password. If you are unable to Activate Accounts successfully, please return to BlazerID Central and choose "Change BlazerID Password" to reset your password to a "strong" password. If you have any questions or concerns during this process, please call AskIT at 205-996-5555 for assistance.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions through our help desk, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by email or phone at 205-996-5555.
Install Application Updates - Mac OS
This video will show you how to install application updates on your machine.
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
Flaws are found in application software on a regular basis and the manufacturer often corrects these issues by releasing patches or new versions. To determine whether your system is using old versions of software, use Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.
*While Windows Vista is shown in the following video, the steps can be used for both Windows XP or Windows Vista platforms.
