Browser Requirements

Texas State University-San Marcos Help/FAQ

Texas State Security Comments Privacy Policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions:

• How do I get access to secure CatsWeb services?
• What guidelines should I follow when selecting a password or PIN?
• What if I've forgotten my password/PIN, my password/PIN doesn't work, or I need to change my password/PIN?
• What does the mean?
• What are some of the security features of secure CatsWeb services?
• Where can I find out more about university policies on information security?
• How do I know I have a secure connection to CatsWeb services?
• How do I get access to the Internet?
• Why do certain web pages need to shut down periodically?
• What is the Business Menu?

Browser Specific Questions:

• What are the CatsWeb browser requirements?
• What are the known problems using Internet Explorer?
• What are the known problems using Netscape?

 

General Questions:

How do I get access to secure CatsWeb services?
You must first obtain the credentials necessary to login to CatsWeb. 

 

Most students, faculty and staff obtain a username and password for this purpose by following the instructions on the Texas State username and password web page.  

 

If you do not have or cannot obtain a Texas State username and password, you may use your Texas State ID number and PIN to login to most CatsWeb applications.  Students should have received or established an ID number and PIN during their initial admission and/or registration process. 

 

Faculty and staff must obtain prior authorization from the appropriate information security administrator before attempting to access the CatsWeb Business Menu.

What guidelines should I follow when selecting and managing my password or PIN?

• Avoid obvious passwords. Don't use obvious proper names or acronyms such as your name or initials as passwords. Nonsense combinations of letters, numbers, and characters are much more difficult for a would-be intruder to guess. The following password rules are enforced:
• Only the characters A-Z, 0-9, $, -, or _ are allowed
• No spaces are allowed
• Cannot be a word that appears in the dictionary
• Must be between 8 and 31 characters in length
• Cannot use passwords you have used previously
• Avoid obvious PINs. Don't use all or parts of obvious numbers as your PIN, e.g., the first 6 digits of your telephone number or the last six digits of your SSN.  The following PIN selection rules are enforced:
• Only the characters 0-9 are allowed; no spaces are allowed
• Cannot use replication of a single digit (e.g., 111111, 222222, 333333)
• Cannot be your date of birth
• Must be between 100000 and 999999
• Don't write your password/PIN down. A written password/PIN is more easily discovered than one committed to memory.
• Change passwords/PINs frequently. If someone accidentally discovers your password/PIN, you may not be aware that it is being misused. Frequent changes help prevent continued misuse in such cases.
• Be careful when typing a password/PIN. Your password/PIN is not displayed on the monitor when entered. Regardless, don't let someone look over your shoulder while typing your password/PIN. If you think your password/PIN security has been compromised, change your password/PIN immediately.

What if I've forgotten my password/PIN, my password/PIN doesn't work, or I need to change my password/PIN?
Refer to the appropriate link in the Computing Services section of the CatsWeb Student Services Index Page. 

What does the mean?
The appears next to all services that require authentication of the user's identity. Authentication is accomplished via system login with a valid username/password combination or a valid ID/PIN combination. See How do I get access to secure CatsWeb services? .

What are some of the security features of secure CatsWeb services?

• Cookies. Secure CatsWeb services use cookies to track information about your transactions. Your browser must be configured to accept cookies in order to access secure CatsWeb services.
• JavaScript. Secure CatsWeb services include JavaScript code. Your browser must be configured to enable JavaScript in order to access secure CatsWeb services.
• SSL. Secure CatsWeb services employ a security protocol called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) that provides data encryption, server authentication, message integrity, and client authentication for a TCP/IP connection. Your browser must support SSL in order to access secure CatsWeb services.

Where can I find out more about Texas State policies on information security and appropriate use of information resources?

• UPPS 04.01.01 - Security of Texas State Information Resources
• UPPS 04.01.02 - Access to Centrally Administered Computing Resources
• UPPS 04.01.07 - Appropriate Use of Information Resources
• UPPS 01.04.30 - Release of Information Pursuant to the Texas Open Records Act
• UPPS 01.04.31 - Access to Student Records Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

How do I know I have a secure connection to CatsWeb services?

• In Netscape 6 and 7, secure pages are indicated by a closed padlock within a yellow square at the bottom right of your browser window. An open padlock indicates the data you are viewing is not secure. Clicking on the padlock will give you more security information about the page.
• In Microsoft Internet Explorer 4, 5, and 6, secure pages are indicated by a closed padlock at the bottom right of your browser window. The absence of the padlock indicates that the data you are viewing is not secure.

How do I get access to the Internet?
There are a number of places on campus where students, faculty, and staff may access Texas State information via the World Wide Web. For more information about unrestricted on-campus computing facilities, contact the Technology Resources Help Desk at (512) 245-HELP (4357). Technology Resources can also provide you with software tools which will enable you to access the Internet from your home computer.

Why do certain web pages need to shut down periodically?
Web services must shut down periodically so that backups and software maintenance can be performed.

What is the Business Menu?
The Business Menu provides access to a restricted set of web functions that support the business activities of university administrators, academic advisors, and other faculty and staff. Access to these functions requires prior authorization from the appropriate information security administrator.

Browser Specific Questions:

What are the CatsWeb browser requirements?
CatsWeb pages have been developed and tested for use with the browser and platform combinations illustrated in the table below. Other browser and platform combinations may cause unforeseen problems and are not supported for use with CatsWeb. In all cases, SSL encryption, JavaScript 1.1 and cookies must be enabled in your browser. Your browser's help function contains instructions for enabling these features. Information Systems and Services will expand support for new or additional browser versions as testing with those versions is complete.

What are the known problems using Netscape?

• CatsWeb applications may not be fully functional with Netscape versions 4.*, 6.0, or 6.1 due to problems with the browser. To avoid these problems, Netscape versions 6.2 and above are recommended.

What are the known problems using Internet Explorer?

• You may encounter an "errors on page" message in the status bar or a Javascript alert box containing an "object required" error. To eliminate these errors, change the following settings:
• Click on "Tools" in the Internet Explorer tool bar
• Select "Internet Options" from the pull-down menu
• In the Internet Options pop-up window, select the "Advanced" tab
• Scroll down to the section on Security
• Check the boxes next to "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" and "Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed"
• Exit all Internet Explorer windows and re-start Internet Explorer
• Macintosh and PC users may encounter a "refresh screen" problem at the authentication screen of the CatsWeb application. After entering the username and password and then clicking the Login button, the authentication screen will flicker and the user will appear to have been returned to the authentication screen. However, if the user clicks the Refresh button on the IE toolbar, the selected screen (e.g., business menu, transcripts, etc.) will be displayed.