Access to the UW network can be disabled/unavailable for four main reasons.
- DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) violations
You should have received a notice about a DMCA violation. Off-campus access is blocked, and you will need to respond to the DMCA violation to get your access restored. - Security Issues
Network security scanning has detected that your computer has been compromised by a virus or other malware.
You should have received a notice from the Office of Information Security explaining the steps needed to restore access. - Network Disruption
Network Operations has identified your network device as disrupting network service for other users, e.g., an unapproved wireless repeater, a DHCP server, a bad network adapter.
You should have received a notice from Network Operations explaining the steps needed to restore access. - Something is broken.
It happens; older equipment fails or someone has cut through a cable. If your computer is not listed on the disabled ports list below contact the UW-IT Service Desk for assistance.
Getting Enabled
If you decide you may be blocked, take the following steps:
- Verify whether your computer is currently blocked by going to Network Blocks page in the Network Portal.
- If it indicates that your port is blocked proceed to step 2 below.
- If the Disabled Ports service says your port is not blocked, you have some other problem not addressed here.
- Check your email to see why your port was blocked.
If you cannot tell why please contact the UW-IT Service Desk and they should be able to determine why you were blocked and the steps necessary to become unlocked. - You can obtain help from several sources:
- The Computer Vet in the Learning Commons in Odegaard Undergraduate Library can help with operating system updates, anti-virus software installation, and cleaning out infected computers.
- Your Department’s IT support team.
- Many commercial computer maintenance services are available off-campus.