CNP Access Update

Two important changes will affect access to the CNP web site
1.  The URL (address) used to access the site is changing from http://cnp.alsde.edu to https://cnp.alsde.edu.
2.  The security settings on the Internet Explorer browser should be updated to protect the integrity of your computer.

These changes will primarily affect access to the SWP and Food Distribution online access portions of the CNP web site.

A recent Internet attack has uncovered a serious weakness in Internet Explorer that allows a hostile attacker to read the keystrokes that are typed into your computer and send those keystrokes anywhere in the world. Currently, there is no fix for this vulnerability.

The attack operates by infecting the computers that operate a web site. Those web servers then attach program code to all web pages that then infect the user's computer. The infection monitors the user's computer for passwords and other sensitive information and forwards that information to other servers.

Removing the source server from the Internet has stopped the first version of this attack. There will be a number of following attacks that will be much more sophisticated than the first attack.

The CNP web site is professionally managed, protected by Trend Micro ServerProtect virus software, and utilizes intrusion detection by Cisco. There is no danger that the CNP web site will infect your computer. There are numerous other web sites that may be a threat.

Changing the security settings for Internet Explorer will allow you to quickly and easily protect your computer systems from this serious threat. You should also continue to follow your normal security measures that include loading Windows Updates on a regular basis and keeping your virus protection up to date. Information describing the recommended security settings is available from http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp. Your computer support staff may have additional security requirements, so be sure to consult with them before modifying computer systems.

If you do not understand the instructions, please do not make any changes to your computer. You can get help by contacting your local computer support staff for help, sending an e-mail to cnp@alsde.edu, or by calling the SDE help desk at (334) 353-1250 and asking for CNP support.

The changes to the security settings (moving the security setting to “High”) on Internet Explorer will affect all software programs on your computer, not just Internet web connections. Software packages such as Microsoft Office use the Internet Explorer security settings to control security access.

If you utilize software that might be adversely affected by the changes described under “How to increase Internet Explorer security settings to protect your computer,” you should contact your computer support group before making any changes.

Instructions for changing URL access to the CNP web site are located online at http://cnp.alsde.edu/help/URLAccess.htm.

Instructions for upgrading the security of the Internet Explorer are located online at http://cnp.alsde.edu/help/IESecurity.htm.