1. Verify your computer’s Operating System is up-to-date by performing all “Critical Updates.”
   1. Open Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) browser. (Note: version 6.0 or above is required for the Portal)
   2. Click on Tools>Windows Update.
   3. Follow the instructions to update your computer.
   (Operating Systems e.g. Windows XP, have automatic update features available. You may want to consider enabling that feature if you don’t receive updates regularly.)
2. Set your Internet Explorer browser security options to MEDIUM (Not MEDIUM-HIGH).
   1. Open Internet Explorer.
   2. Click on Tools>Internet Options>Privacy.
3. Delete temporary Internet files in the cache of Internet Explorer.
   1. Open Internet Explorer.
   2. Click on Tools>Internet Options>General.
   3. In the Temporary Internet files menu (second item), Click “Delete Files.”
   4. Check “Delete all off-line content” and click OK.
   (In IE, go to Tools>Internet Options>Advanced and in “Security” section, check “Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed” to clear the cache automatically, every time you close IE.)
4. Download and install the latest version of Adobe Flash Player. Go to: http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/alternates and follow the applicable instructions.
5. If you have not defragmented your hard-drive as part of routine maintenance, it is recommended you check if defragmenting is required. It’s not mandatory, but will improve the overall performance of your computer.
   1. Go to Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter.
   2. Select “Analyse” to evaluate the hard drive and see if defragmentation is required. If defragmentation is recommended, be advised that depending upon the size of your hard disk, the process could take several minutes to several hours to complete.
6. Only if you are using Windows XP and have Service Pack 2 installed, you will have easy access to necessary “Add-on’s” that are installed in IE. These add-ons, as well as digital certificates, and other software (e.g. applets) will at some point be sent to you from the Portal. To receive “add-ons”, you must make sure your Pop-Up Blocker is disabled for the Portal and that the www.windsor-essex.info domain is a “trusted” or “approved” site for you to receive pop-ups, security certificates, and software downloads. Once Active-X controls and other Add-on’s are downloaded, you can check that they are “enabled”, and “updated” on a regular basis.
   1. Open Internet Explorer, Go to “Tools>Internet Options>Privacy” and “uncheck” Block pop-ups.
   2. Verify that ALL of your Pop-Up Blockers are disabled (In IE, go to Tools>Pop-Up Blocker, but note that you may have other toolbars (e.g. Yahoo Toolbar or Google Toolbar with pop-up blockers too, which must be disabled!).
   3. Also in Internet Explorer, click on Tools>Manage Add-on’s.
   4. Review the list of disabled add-ons that could affect Portal functionality. Enable the disabled items.
   5. Verify that Active-X controls are “updated” for each Add-on (e.g. QuickPlace Class Add-on, if present).
7. In order to maintain a safe and secure computer environment, it is recommended that you also maintain an up-to-date version of virus protection software. In addition, you should have software installed that removes and protects against spyware/malware.

1. Authentication is defined as “two-factor” because during registration, you create a userid and password (“shared secret”) combination and install digital certificates. Certificates are small pieces of software that are installed into your browser and assist in representing your online identity. You have to create, install and should back them up as part of the certificate registration process.
2. Go to the Connecting Windsor-Essex™ Portal Homepage at
   http://www.windsor-essex.info.
   1. Ensure your Pop-Up Blocker is disabled, and click “Sign-up” in the top right hand corner of the Home Page.
   2. You may be prompted to accept a certificate for access to register. You must say “Yes” to the prompt. (If you see a blank screen in IE7, please click the lock icon next to the address bars.)
3. Complete the Registration screens one at a time, giving the system time to interact with your computer.
   • Be sure to use your legal first and legal last name as your certificate-based access needs to be compliant with systems that require you use your legal name(s).
   • When you accept information and navigate to the next screen, use your mouse to click the “next” or “accept” buttons. Please do not hit “enter” or “return” on your keyboard, as this may send a different command to the registration system depending on the keyboard language set on your computer.
4. When you select a “shared secret,” choose something that you can remember. Protect this password by never sharing it with anyone or writing it down where someone may find it.
   • Use capital or small letters and numbers if you desire, and note that the “shared secret” is case sensitive.
   • Avoid the use of special and international characters within your “shared secret.”
   • Avoid the use of punctuation within your “shared secret.”

1. Logging In to the Connecting Windsor-Essex™ Community Portal.
   • Click “Log in” in the top right corner of the Portal homepage.
   • Select the proper certificate name from the menu that appears and then enter your “shared secret.”
   • If you are logged in securely, the “Log In” button, will have changed to “Log Out” and the Home Page will have some different items.
   • You should “Log Out” of the Portal when you have completed your visit, and close your browser afterward, so that your digital portal identity does not remain within the browser certificate cache.
2. Firewalls and the Connecting Windsor-Essex™ Community Portal.
   • If you have a personal firewall, or if you are accessing Portal in a corporate environment, open any restricted ports that may restrict functionality. You may need to provide this information to your corporation’s helpdesk.
   • Portal uses port 8082 to permit “Awareness”, which is represented by a green square indicator next to your name when you are logged into certain applications.
   • If you do not see a green square indicator beside your username, then you may see a grey dot. This is a symptom of having port 8082 restricted on a firewall between your computer and Portal.
   • Portal also uses port 1533 for real-time Chat features in its SameTime application.
   • For full functionality, enable your firewall to permit ports 8082 and 1533 to exchange information.
3. Accepting IBM and Lotus Applet software.
   
   

   r) SmartNote: The Portal sends you software to help you with certain applications. Learn what’s coming in this section.

   • 
     Once you access the Portal, you may be asked to install a number of IBM and/or Lotus software applets or servlets. If asked for permission to install these components, you MUST say “YES” and complete the installations. The components include the following: “Lotus Menu Component,” and “QuickPlace.” There will be additional information provided in the security warning that will appear, including the date that the applets were signed, and that they are distributed by International Business Machines Corporation.
4. Accepting the IBM Applet software for use of SameTime (Real-time Chat).
   • To use the “Chat” feature you need to access one or more QuickPlaces (QP) that you are subscribed to.
   • Open a QP by clicking on the Community Connector tab, and then on its name in the My Workplaces list.
   • A common QuickPlace used for testing purposes is called “testplace.”
   • The left hand panel within a QuickPlace (such as “testplace”) is called the Table of Contents.
   • In the Table of Contents locate “Chat” and click on it.
   • A window should open that will have a Java software requirement. Sun Java is required for the use of Chat. You may be prompted for a software download on your first attempt to access the Chat feature. This may take a few moments, please be patient. For all requests to accept IBM software for installation. Say “YES” when prompted, or the interactive Chat feature will not function correctly.
   • If you have had registration assistance from a services company, or from helpdesk staff, they may have already completed all of the software and other downloads that you require, so you may not receive any additional ones.
5. I see a red coloured "X" in my Chat window, what should I do?
   • Portal (the current version) requires Sun Java to function properly. Verify that you have it installed and that it has priority as your Java virtual machine.
     1. Open Internet Explorer. Click on Tools>Internet Options>Advanced.
     2. In the menu list that appears (the main topics are in alphabetical order), look for "Java (Sun)".
     3. Make sure “Use JRE 1.6+ for < applet >” is checked.
     4. If “Microsoft VM” is present in the list, it should not have any items checked.
   • If you do not have “Java (Sun) in the list, then you need to install Sun Java.
6. I can enter a QuickPlace that I have been given access to, but cannot post a document. What should I do?
   • Most likely due to a required Microsoft Active-X plug-in not being installed. Maybe you missed a Pop-Up?
   • Portal will provide you with the option to install the Active-X plug-in if it finds that you do not have it installed.
   • Accept the request to update Active-X to be able to use the features in Portal that require Active-X.
7. "Edit my profile" in the Portal
   
   

   s) SmartNote: Need to change from “Robert” to “Bob”, or from “Katherine” to “Kathy”? Learn how in this section.

   
   
   1. Log in to the Portal and in the top right, next to "Help", click "Edit my profile."
   2. If you prefer, change your name to a common name (e.g. change Samantha to Sam).
   • Note: This is also where you change your e-mail address for receiving notifications from Portal. Please note that there is one other place to change your email. The Identity Management System (IDMS) has a different location, found on the self-service pages for the IDMS to change your email. You’ll find a link to the email change utility for the IDMS underneath the login screen information where you login to the Portal.
8. Secure/Unsecure Page Warnings, & Displaying Mixed Page Content (e.g. News, Weather, etc.)
   
   

   t) SmartNote: Warning screens bothering your use? Learn here how to stop them.

   
   
   • The Portal accesses certain sites when you are logged in by using portlets for weather, news, etc. When the portlets are accessed securely when you are logged in, their content will trigger a pop-up asking you to verify access.
     1. To disable secure/unsecure page warnings when you are logged in.
     2. Go to Tools>Internet Options>Advanced and in the “Security” section near the bottom of the list, make sure “Warn if changing between secure and not secure mode” is unchecked.
     3. Go to Tools>Internet Options>Security and then to “Custom Level”.
     4. Look for the “Miscellaneous” as a main heading in the list.
     5. Under “Display mixed content”, click “enable”.
     6. Then click “OK”.
   • The Portal also displays “Mixed Content” in the pages with the use of these Portlets. Enabling Mixed Content to be received in your browser will assist in eliminating the security warning pop-ups when you are logged in.

The “two-factor authentication” Portal uses as part of its security, requires two certificates be installed within your browser. The “WEDnet CA” has issued both of these certificates. The certificates represent your online identity, and it is important that every effort be made by you to protect the certificates that represent your online identity. These certificates are unique to your computer, and it is recommended they be backed-up and stored in a secure place.

If you reformat your hard-drive or have your computer serviced and the hard drive is altered or changed, your certificates could be lost. Replacement certificates can be issued, but it is time consuming. They are generated only during registration. The system has features to prevent users from registering twice, so if you lose or damage certificates, submit a “Comment/Questions” form accessible from the Portal Home Page. If you have to re-register, there is also a likelihood that you will lose access to edit information contributed to Portal.

You should create a back-up of your certificates and store them where no unauthorized person may access them. It is prohibited, as defined in the Portal Privacy and Acceptable Use polices to allow anyone other than you to use your certificates. You can back-up your certificates to another source (e.g. floppy disk, USB key or CD-ROM).

• To create a back-up of one of your certificates. . .
  1. Open Internet Explorer, Click on Tools>Internet Options>Content.
  2. Click "Certificates" under the Certificates section (second menu item).
  3. In the “Personal” menu of certificates, locate the name of one certificate that you use to login to Portal. (Please note that you may have more than one certificate. You will need to back-up each one separately.)
  4. “Select” the certificate name you wish to back-up by clicking it, and then click “Export.”
  5. You will then enter the “Certificate Export Wizard” for Windows. Click “Next.”
• The following settings must be applied to successfully "export" each certificate for back-up.
  1. Yes, export the private key (click "next").
  2. Choose “Personal Information Exchange – PKCS #12 (.PFX) with both the “Include all certificates in the certification path if possible”, and the “Enable strong protection (requires IE 5.0, NT4.0, SP4 or above) options checked.
  3. Double-check the settings above before clicking “Next.”
  4. Provide and confirm a password that you will NOT forget and click “Next.”
  5. Use the “Browse” button to locate where you wish to back up your certificate. Enter a file name.
  6. Click "Save."
  7. The file path and file name should be returned to you at this point, so that you can check where the location of your backed-up certificate will be and click “Next.”
  8. A summary screen will be returned, “Completing the Certificate Export Wizard” where you can check all information one last time. Click “Finish”.
  9. You may be prompted by screens that ask you to verify access (say “OK” or “Yes”).
• You should then see a screen that indicates that the “Export” was successful.
• Congratulations! You have just backed-up a certificate. You should verify that the file name you specified has been created in the location you specified. Remember to store the back-up securely, and do not lose the password that you set for access to the certificate. You will need it to “Import” the certificate which is done by simply clicking on the file and following the on screen instructions. When importing, you should “Enable strong key private protection” and if you want it exportable for back-up, then make sure “Mark this key as exportable” is also checked. You should NOT mark certificates as exportable on publicly accessible machines, and remove your certificates if you install them on a publicly accessible machine, so no other person may obtain and use your identity for access to the Portal.