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Help! My computer has been "Captured," What do I do?

So you've been MAC Captured and you need to be released.

  1. Read the screen and follow the on-screen instructions that you see whenever you open a webpage. (For an example, see Capture Page).
  2. Get your MAC address, (also called Hardware, Physical or Ethernet address), by following these instructions. Make sure to look for a 12-digit number split as such XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
  3. Call Resnet or come into LCC to have a ticket entered in our system. Make sure you give us your hardware address and that you say you are captured.
  4. We will tell you why you have been captured. Captures generally fall into two categories.
    1. Copyright Violation
      1. You may be MAC-captured for a copyright violation. When you report that you are MAC-captured to Resnet, and we determine that it is due to a copyright violation, this means that you have violated the network and fair use policies of Columbia University. You will be contacted by the Manager of Student Computing to inform you about the policy you have violated and what steps you must take to be allowed back on the network.
        1. To read the about network and fair use policies of Columbia University, please consult the Copyright Policy Page.
      2. Compromised Computer
        1. Your must reformat your computer. AT does not backup or reformat students' computers. Moreover, removing a virus will not solve this problem. Most computers are removed from the network because they are attempting to make contact with a command and control node over port 8080. Because your computer has been "botted" you need to reformat in order to be allowed back on the Barnard network.
        2. To reformat, find your Original Operating disks (they came with your computer).
          1. Before you reformat, backup any data, files etc. that you want to keep. This can be onto a USB key or CD-ROMs
          2. Reformat your system. Instructions can be found online or by contacting your manufacturer. We cannot guarantee that our instructions are meant for your system. It is best to contact your manufacturer.
          3. Once you have reformatted and before you plug into the internet please come back into office hours for Windows Updates and Norton Anti-Virus.
            1. If you have a desktop please call 347-694-4694 and an ACE will contact you to make an appointment
          4. To prevent future problems, set an administrator password, and firewall your network connections and follow the Mandatory Computer Setup.
    2. You will be put on the removal list and then the process that releases your computer from being captured takes between 24 and 48 hours. This will take longer over the weekend. If you still do not have any connection two business days later please call 347-694-4694.