With the change to SAS and SPSS Campus Wide licenses you will no longer receive email renewal notices. However, each product must be updated with a new license key or updated to the newest version each year.  The software and/or license key is free to full-time faculty, staff and students and is available on the IT Software Library page at https://wwwsd.it.uab.edu/sdwnld. The licenses/subscriptions renew as follows:

SPSS November 30th of every year. 

SAS September 30th but with a 90 day grace period will cease to function on December 31st. 

Upgrades (to the latest version) and/or renewal (of the previous version) will be available on the IT Software Library page by October 30th of every year.

If you have any questions regarding this renewal and/or software, please go online to www.uab.edu/askit and submit your question(s) or request.

UAB's Oracle agreement includes both site-licensed product available to the UAB community (for installation on UAB owned systems) and limited-use products based on a specific number of installations, users, or use.  The current agreement renews each August and requires an annual payment and an annual true-up (purchase of additional licenses) to cover additional FTEs over the base FTEs covered the previous year. 

UAB has purchased an IBM SPSS Campus Wide license that will provide UAB users free access to analytics.

UAB has purchased a SAS Campus Wide license that will provide University users free download access to analytics.

LabVIEW is a powerful graphical development environment, for signal acquisition, measurement analysis, and data presentation. LabVIEW also provides the flexibility of a programming language without the complexity of traditional development tools. LabVIEW is an open environment designed to make interfacing with any measurement hardware simple. With interactive assistants, code generation, and connectivity to thousands of devices, LabVIEW makes gathering data as simple as possible. LabVIEW has more than 500 built-in functions designed specifically for extracting useful information from any set of acquired data and for analyzing measurements and processing signals. LabVIEW also provides tools for data visualization, user interface design, Web publishing, report generation, data management, and software connectivity. For more info on the LabVIEW product see the National Instruments web site.

What it is

Spyware is the Internet jargon for any data collection program that secretly gathers information about you and relays it to advertisers and other interested parties. Adware usually displays banners or unwanted pop-up windows, but often includes spyware as well.

You can unknowingly install spyware when you install new software, most commonly freeware or shareware (e.g. LimeWire, BearShare, Kazaa, iMesh).  Many of these programs are intended to track your Internet browsing habit, such as frequented sites and favorite downloads, and then provide advertising companies with marketing data.

Some spyware programs such as Gator, CommonName, and MarketScore, can adversely affect your computer's performance.

How to Remove It

Unfortunately, you cannot fully remove most spyware and adware programs by using the uninstall option in the Windows Add or Remove Programs control panel.  To completely remove spyware from your computer, you must use a program designed for spyware & adware.

Anti-virus software is configured to scan for viruses, spyware, adware, and many other items. If you have questions about your Anti-Virus settings, contact AskIT 205-996-5555 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How to Avoid it It

Avoid applications that are known to carry spyware & adware.  Spybot - Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware have identified the following as applications that may contain spyware or adware:

These additional steps also help avoid spyware & adware:

• Reduce your use of cookies
• Avoid advertisements
• Avoid clicking links in instant messaging software
• Frequently scan your computer with spyware detection software (included w/most anti-virus suites)

Software available through IT can either be downloaded to your system or ordered through AskIT at 6-5555 or via e-mail ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Where downloads are available they are the quickest way to get the software, but not all titles can be downloaded due to licensing restrictions.  Check the Software Overview page for a quick list of software agreements and how the software is made available (some software is downloadable via a 3rd party site) or check the Software Download site for software that is available direclty from UAB IT.  Downloads require appropriate login using your Blazer ID and password.

Every UAB faculty, staff, and student (where applicable) is responsible for adhering to software copyright laws and license rights.  While IT Software Licensing will ensure that appropriate licensing information is published for products included on the IT web site, it is the responsibility of each school, department, faculty/staff member, and student to maintain accurate records for all software installed on their systems.  Records should include the software title, date and source of the purchase (including software acquired through this web site or AskIT), and where installed.  For software not covered under a UAB site license, a sales order/invoice or the original physical media/license key would qualify as proof of a valid license.  Note that only one method can be used for any one software title as proof, not a combination of the two for the same application.

Q: My department/school uses a specific software application for many users and I'm fairly sure several other departments/schools at UAB use it as well.  Is there a more economical way to purchase that software

A: Possibly, through either a volume discount arrangement or through a site license.  First, contact AskIT to see if any discounts are already in place. If not you can send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for review. Make sure and include all pertinent information about the product such as areas known to be using the software, number of licenses currently owned, manufacturer, product name/version, etc., and why you feel a site license may be applicable.

Q: I use MS Project (example) on my computer and I have a copy of the media.  My colleague also needs Project on her system.  I know she is planning on placing an order for the software next week. Can I loan her my media to install so she can begin working immediately?

A: No, for MS Project that would be a violation of your license.  Your colleague must have her own license prior to installing the software. For other titles such as MS Office covered under the Campus agreement loaning media would be acceptable. If in doubt contact AskIT for guidance.