By BART JARMAN
BYU's computer system may not be as secure as many users think, said John C. Higgins, professor of computer science.
'There is no question that someone with a modest amount of knowledge could get any information,' he said.
The computer system includes CougarNet; e-mail; registration, admission and departmental information; The Daily Universe's Newsline; KBYU; and the Academic Information Manager, which includes students' personal information and grades.
The university's computer system is protected by a 'firewall' system, which prevents outside access to sensitive materials, said Don Kitchen, system programmer. The CougarNet system, particularly in the dorms, is kept separate from the Internet.
'It provides a marginal degree of protection,' Kitchen said. But students should be aware that their messages and information are still vulnerable, he said.
Changing grades is more difficult than just looking at the information, but virtually anything can be compromised, Higgins said.
'I would not characterize this as a secure environment,' Higgins said.
The security system for BYU is much like that of other systems -- a series of 'patches' to stop leaks when they occur.
The university has a strict policy for dealing with students abusing computer access on campus. Accessing pornographic or other inappropriate sites is considered an Honor Code violation and carries stiff penalties.
'Be aware that if you are doing something that you think is harmless, the university has taken a hard-line policy,' Higgins said.
Unless there is an understanding of what a site is, and what it contains, students should be very careful, Higgins said.