MUST II Returns

By Staff Writer Britany Rouse

The network security system, Mason Update and Scanning Technology, also known as MUST II, is back in full force in campus residence halls.

According to David Robertson, manager of network engineering at Mason, the program keeps computer viruses from infecting the entire network and shutting it down.

“Primarily, the MUST checks the system to ensure that it meets certain criteria, as well as finding systems that may be infected or are involved in copyright infringement and address those users directly, instead of closing a large portion of the residence hall network,” said Robertson.

According to the must.gmu.edu website, the system does not violate a user’s privacy or scan his or her computer.

While the system does its job of keeping viruses out of the network, it does inconvenience some students. Before being allowed to access the Internet, students must log on to the system and wait while the system sets up.

Sophomore tourism and events management major Jessica Wilder dislikes having to log in to access the Internet.

“I think it’s really annoying to have to log in every time I want to use the Internet and keep the page open. It’s not a huge inconvenience, it’s just a hassle,” said Wilder.

Earlier in the spring semester, the MUST system was partially disabled, allowing students to access the Internet directly instead of logging in to the system.

According to Robertson, the system was partially disabled because of a hardware bug that was found only when traffic reached a certain level on the system.

“It has returned so that it can do the second function of MUST, [which is] to allow the university to contact users that have systems that might be infected, or are engaged in activity that the system shouldn’t be,” said Robertson.

Though the system may seem inconvenient to students, sources say it has effectively prevented many campus-wide Internet outages.

Randy Anderson, director of network engineering and technology, said that the department looked at many different programs before choosing MUST. The network-engineering group is aware of the system’s current problems and is watching the program closely.

“If we determine that the system is causing more trouble than it’s worth, we will make another change,” said Anderson.

Sophomore English major Daniela Nigro supports the system as long as it does its job.

“I don’t think logging in is that big of a deal as long as it keeps my computer from having viruses,” said Nigro.