Local Administrative Privileges

In compliance with the computing policies of William Paterson University, administrative privileges will not be routinely granted to user accounts in order to maintain the integrity of department PCs and the security of the campus network. Using an account with elevated privileges makes a user extremely susceptible to spyware, viruses and other security breaches.  Information Systems will review user requirements and requests from departments for elevated user permissions on a case by case basis.

The following steps will be followed to determine the need for elevated user permissions:
  • Determine what software is needed by the user. In some cases the University may own or be willing to purchase the software. In that case the software will be installed using Software Delivery (over the campus network).
  • Installation Options–
    • IS installs remotely (recommended)
    • Helpdesk tech visits and manually installs software
  • User is granted elevated permissions for a limited time only while software is installed. When the permissions have been removed, the user should run the software application to confirm that the software functions successfully without elevated permissions.
In rare cases, when the situation warrants granting a user Admin Privileges the user must understand that he/she assumes responsibility for changes made to his/her machine and sign the “Statement of User Responsibility” . The user assumes the risk of any loss of data, software or settings. Problems that arise will result in IS restoring the machine to the original image only.

 

Click here for "Administrative Rights Request Form"