You may complete the steps of this orientation at any time. During orientation, there will be introductory sessions available for assistance. At other times, contact the help desk for aid.

• You must have your NetID and have set a permanent password in order to follow all the steps.
• If you are completing the orientation on campus, you must register your laptop on the network before you can continue. Do not use the VISITOR network, because it imposes a number of limitations on what you can do. On campus, start a Web browser to go to netreg.duke.edu and complete the simple registration.

You should be conscious of the following security concerns:

• Never leave your valuable devices unattended. Theft can and does occur, and easy targets invite more risk for everyone.
• You must have current and updated anti-virus software. You will have an opportunity to download such software in this process.
• Be sure that your laptop is set to receive updates to its installed software. On Windows this can be controlled through the Windows Update control panel.
• You should always have a password on your computer. Again, we will provide instructions to do so.
• Do not download or share illegal content such as pirated music, video, etc. Be wary of "peer-to-peer" sharing software since it can be a security risk for your computer and a monetary risk for you.
• Back up your valuable data! Duke makes network storage available, and there are many other ways to create back-ups. Save copies and drafts frequently. Bytes are cheap - your labor is not!

Follow the instructions for Windows laptops. Mac users should already have passwords set.

Your Windows computer may already have an antivirus program. The two best known virus protection programs are Norton Antivirus, part of the Norton Internet Protection Suite, and McAfee Antivirus. If you have either one of these programs on your computer and it is up-to-date, you do not need to do anything else here.

Windows users should check the icons in the system tray, at the bottom right of your computer. If you have an antivirus program, there should be an icon for its real-time protection function. It should warn you if the virus definitions or anti-virus engine are out-of-date (through a pop-up when you roll over it, or through a symbol on its icons). Alternatively, you can select Start | All Programs and look for a listing such as Norton, Network Associates, or McAfee.

Mac users: Look on the dock, and if you do not see an icon there, open up the applications folder on your hard drive and look. Although there are relatively few Mac viruses, all Mac users should have an up-to-date anti-virus application.

If you need to install antivirus software, click here to go to OIT's software download site: Windows Antivirus | Mac antivirus.

Please go to the Academic Technologies software download page to access the ePrint printing software.

Please put your important files in this storage (5GB of space) to keep them safe! There are three alternative ways to access Webfiles: in your Web browser; through AFS; and through WebDAVS. We do not suggest AFS. If you want your storage to appear on your computer like a network drive, we suggest using WebDAVS. Click here to access your network storage and to get instructions for WebDAVS.

All new students have accounts on Duke's Exchange service. Your email can be accessed via: Outlook software on Mac or Windows (see the option to install Microsoft Office below); Outlook Web App (OWA) through any browser; any email client capable of IMAP; and Exchange settings on most mobile devices. Check your email through OWA now. You can find information about configuring your email client or mobile device for Exchange here.

Duke provides you with an email alias in addition to your email address, [netid]@duke.edu. Typically that alias is firstname.lastname@duke.edu. When it was created, the alias was set to deliver mail to your university NetID email box. We recommend you verify your alias settings (and make any desired changes) by going to Online@Duke. You can find more detailed information at the OIT email alias FAQ page.

If you have been registered for classes, you should be able to log into Blackboard; don't worry if you can't yet. Go here to log into Blackboard. You will find the email address for you under the left menu items: Tools | Personal Information | Edit Personal Information. If you need to change your address, fill in the correct address and then click "Submit."

If you have not already done so, update your university directory information on ACES. Be sure to enter your current postal mailing address.

• If you don't have Microsoft Office, you can download a free copy for use while here at the university (it will stop working after you leave, but a $15 non-time-limited copy can be purchased from the university computer store before you graduate). Go here to access the Microsoft Office download for students.
• Some faculty members use Corel WordPerfect (for many years the top alternative for legal writing). Follow this link for instructions on how to add the ability to open WordPerfect files on your laptop.
• Microsoft Office does not by default create a "back-up file." Follow the instructions on the linked page to change your Office configuration so that it does.
• Speaking of back-up, you may be interested in an online back-up service. There are very many options available. Duke has a plan with Iron Mountain that you can read about here. Another solution but without any Duke discount is Mozy.