Default Login for Student Accounts Created or Reset after October 1, 2011

Student accounts (Blackboard, Gmail, MyMHC, Campus Computers)created or reset after October 1, 2011 will be accessible via the instructionsbelow:

Username: firstname.lastname

Example:
Name: John Doe àUsername: John.Doe

Your password will be the first three letters of your monthof birth with the first letter capitalized, followed by the 4 digits of youryear of birth, and the last 3 digits of your Student ID number.

Example:
Birth Date: February 20, 1983 
Student ID#: 123 456 789

Password: Feb1983789

Please Note: These instructions apply only to accounts thatwere created or reset after October 1, 2011. 

MHC Wireless - Log On Now Required

The college has moved to anauthenticated wireless network service where students and employees needto use their college username and password to log on. This service will providea greater number of more reliable connections than our previous open service.

To connect to the network:

• Select MHC-WiFi from your computer or mobile device
• Once connected open your web browser
• You will be directed to a page indicating the terms of use in accessing the network.  Please read this and scroll to the bottom of the page
• If you accept the conditions, enter your username and password
• For this system, the username and password is the same one used to connect to MHC computers and networks in labs and offices
• Click the green-coloured Submit button

These steps were reproduced from the MHC Information Technology Services blog: http://mhcit.blogspot.com/

WARNING: Beware of Fake Wireless Networks on Campus

IMPORTANT: When connecting to the wireless network on campus, only connect to MHC-Public (see Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. The one and only official college wireless network you should connect to.



DO NOT connect to any other wireless network on campus, because they are not official college networks—this includes one that might say MHC-Library.

WHY THE WARNING?

Unfortunately there are individuals on campus that are creating “rogue” networks. These rogue networks might look like free wireless access points (see Figs. 2 & 3), but you are not connecting to a network, you are connecting to someone’s computer directly. An intention of these rogue networks could be to steal your private information (e.g., user name and password sets) that you use to access secure information online (e.g., banking and credit card information, Facebook, myMHC, etc.).

Fig 2. A rogue computer-to-computer network.





Fig. 3. Another rogue computer-to-computer network.





Another problem these rogue networks create is that they will disrupt the functions and services of the MHC-Public network. The effects of which include: making the network unavailable or unstable.

HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY?

• Do not access banking and other confidential information using the public wireless network (this includes MHC-Public).
  
  
• Do not have your laptop configured to automatically join networks—always manually connect to networks out of your home network.
  
  
• Never make a computer-to-computer connection—regardless of what the name of the network is.
  
  
• Do not accept any prompts when you are asked to allow someone to join you.
  
  
• Turn off your wireless card if you are not browsing the Web—this also saves power.
  
  
• Have up-to-date security software installed on your computer—antivirus, firewall, etc.
  
  
• If you have the technical expertise, create a personal virtual private network (VPN) before connecting to a public wireless service.
  

Information Technology Services (ITS) is actively seeking a solution to resolve this issue.

Streaming Media Services Limited

Some of you might have noticed that access to streaming media sites (e.g., YouTube, Google Videos, etc.) is currently being limited in areas of the college. Due to bandwidth restrictions beyond the college's control, certain restrictions have been placed on these media sites. Streaming media sites will only be accessible from 4:30 p.m.–midnight each day. Certain streaming media (e.g., Internet radio and television) will remain blocked.

Streaming media services that the college and Library Services subscribe to will not be affected. This includes resources such as Atomic Learning and unitedstreaming [Discovery Education]—you can discover more information about each source by clicking here.


The college's Information Technology Services (ITS) department is currently working with the college's Internet service provider to resolve this issue in as timely a manner as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience, and appreciate and ask for your patience in the meantime. A notice will be posted as soon as regular Internet service is restored.

College Wireless Internet: Bigger & Stronger!

The college's wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet access has changed for the better! The older library network name is now defunct. Anyone wanting to connect to the Wi-Fi network can now do so by connecting to the network named: MHC-Public.

In addition to the network name change, the Wi-Fi access points have been expanded and strengthened. Wi-Fi access has been strengthened in the Vera Bracken Library with more access points, and the Cafeteria/Internet Café and Centennial Hall now have Wi-Fi access as well.

Access to Wi-Fi will remain barrier free (with no cost or user name/password sets required) to the public, staff and students. Access to network printers and storage drives will remain inaccessible though.

To read more about Wi-Fi access at the Medicine Hat Campus, go to: http://www.mhc.ab.ca/library/wireless.html.

Connecting to the Wireless Network - Keep It Simple

To connect to the wireless network in the Vera Bracken Library, you need to keep it simple. There is no special software, user name, or password required to access the wireless network.

To begin, you only need to use the built-in Windows or Macintosh wireless connection application. To access the Windows software (see Figure 1), go to the Start button (on the task bar) > select: Connect To > click: Wireless Network Connection.

Figure 1. Opening the Wireless Network Connection application.













Once the Wireless Network Connection window opens (see Figure 2), be sure that you have selected the Library network, and click Connect to begin the connection process.

Figure 2. Selecting the desired wireless network.

NOTE:

• If you have your machine set to automate your connection, you might make an ad hoc (peer-to-peer) connection. It will look like you are connected to a network, but you will not get any Web access - you have connected to another person's computer and not the wireless network.
• If you have your machine set to connect with a static Internet Protocol (IP) address, you might not be able to connect. Use dynamic IP addressing to connect to our wireless network - this is typically a system default setting.
  
• Neither Library Services nor Information Technology Services will modify/troubleshoot personal equipment. We suggest reviewing your owner's manual, contacting your computer's technical support line, or your computer's reseller for support with your wireless equipment.
  

Wireless Access is Available!

Medicine Hat College's Information Technology Services department has reactivated the wireless (Wi-Fi) Web service in the Vera Bracken Library. The service is available to anyone with a compatible Wi-Fi enable device (i.e., laptop, phone, PDA, etc.).

Connect to the wireless network by turning on your wireless card, and locating the Library wireless network with your machine's Wi-Fi connection program. A user name and password is not required to access the Wi-Fi network.

For more information about the service, visit Library Services' information page by clicking here.

Wireless Network Down

The wireless network in the Medicine Hat Campus's Café and Vera Bracken Library is down indefinitely. Computer Services is working to isolate this hardware relate issue. Please stay posted for updates.

We apologize for the inconvenience.