When System Access Is Blocked: Understanding the Why’s and Wherefore’s

The mission of the Lab’s Computer Protection Program (CPP) is to protect LBNL computer resources from security-related occurrences. To achieve this goal it is sometimes necessary to deploy special measures in dealing with computing systems that constitute considerably higher than normal levels of danger to other Lab systems. An attacker, worm, or Trojan horse program may have compromised these systems’ security, or they may have a serious, unpatched vulnerability that makes other Lab systems vulnerable to a greater risk of compromise, necessitating blocking the dangerous systems’ network access.

When the CPP determines that blocking a system is necessary, it also decides the type of blocking that is appropriate, based on the degree of danger to other Lab systems that the blocked system is causing.

If you think your system is blocked, contact the LBNL Computer Help Desk at help@lbl.gov or x4357. The Help Desk will determine what has happened and will restore your system if its security has been compromised and/or will install any missing patches.