COMPUTER VIRUSES CREATE PROBLEMS FOR STUDENTS AT MHCC

The virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic is certainly disconcerting.

However, given the new work-from-home order and its likely continuance, there is another type of virus we should be concerned with: the computer virus, and its cohorts.

Most people think of a virus as incorporeal, intangible. Computer viruses, worms, malware, adware, spyware, Trojans, bots, and more, are not naturally occurring bugs. They are created by people in the computer world, who have mal-intent and usually cause harm to your computer, if nothing else.

Some Mt. Hood students have encountered problems, such as having their passwords corrupted. I, myself have had to change my Saints email password innumerable times (even prior to the pandemic) and am aware of many other instances of password corruption endured by other students.

I have received “error” messages, blocking my usage of the Blackboard platform, which my biology instructor requires. Therefore, I was unable to take my Spring Term class. On several occasions, I have been prompted to download Microsoft Outlook when I already had it installed, via the Saints email (and its extended applications). The messages read, “Please download Outlook again.” Other students I’ve spoken with have also had some trouble with Outlook.

And, I’m aware of one student whose transfer application from MHCC to a university in another state was not received, thus delaying admittance for a year.

Several other MHCC students graduating have informed me they are taking a year off. Could they have had the same, or similar, problems? Then there is the frustrating, seeming dilemma of random setting changes, computer freezing, words changed or added, etc. Are those things simply technical glitches? Likely not, in every instance.

Occurrences like these can wreak havoc and be terrorizing for a student trying to get an assignment (or a newspaper) out on time, as they may cause fear of failure. It has been said, it’s difficult to believe cyber crime could occur on the MHCC campus. But, if presidential elections have been tampered with, I suppose college activity is “fair game,” also. I’ve even been prompted to give access to the MHCC WiFi.

Needless to say, it’s been a trying time for many of us, coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine stipulations. I’m sure you will agree. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were some type of technical support or security liaison for those left studying/working from home, so that no student is left behind?

With incidents of cyber crime escalating, perhaps administrators at MHCC and elsewhere might converse and come up with some type of supportive remedy for students trying to comply with working from home online.

It would be appreciated immensely and could help improve student enrollment.