USC / University Seal

Last Revised on Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 9:02 AM


Web Browsers
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Java™ Plug-in Software?

How does AIS secure the information going to / from my Web Browser from / to an AIS Web Server?

How do I determine which Web Browser version I am using?

How do I know if I need to upgrade my Web Browser?

How often should I update my Web Browser?

If I receive a Web Browser update prompt, should I run the automatic update?

Upon clicking the green bar, the following message in the yellow bar appears:
“Error: …possible password expiration”

What do the following messages mean?
“Page is not available”, “Page cannot be found”, Page cannot display”

What is a Web Browser and where can I get one?

What does ‘configuring a Web browser’ mean and how do I actually configure my Web Browser?

What is an ‘operating system’ and how do I find out its version?

When I click on a link in WEBBA, I get a warning pop-up window. The warning message is: "The page contains both secure and nonsecure items. Do you want to display the nonsecure items?" The choices I have to click on are "Yes, No, or More Info." Why is this happening and how do I get it to stop?

Where can I find / locate the latest AIS recommended Web Browser versions?

Which Web Browser version should I use?

Who do I call if I need help with configuring my Web Browser?

Why do I need a Web Browser?

Why can’t I use a Web Browser version older than that recommended by AIS?

What is JavaTM Plug-in Software?

Java™ Plug-in software is a component of the Java™ 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (JRE). The JRE allows applets written in the Java programming language to run inside various browsers. It enables applications to run on your desktop / laptop, including games, tools, and information programs and services.

How does AIS secure the information going to / from my Web Browser from / to an AIS Web Server?

AIS is committed toward ensuring the privacy and accuracy of information sent to Web Browsers. To help accomplish this goal and similar to banking institutions who offer online banking services, AIS employs encryption technologies (SSL, SSH, MD5 Encryption, etc.) during the transmission of information from AIS Web Servers to desktop / laptop based Web Browsers. Once the information is on a Web Browser, access to the information can only be obtained by actually viewing the Web Browser screen. Users, of course, must play their part in information privacy by ensuring that others around them cannot view their screens.

How do I determine which Web Browser version I am using?

Please follow the instructions below to detect which Web Browser version you are using for the Apple / Mac:

  • For Safari, in the top left corner go to Safari > ?About Safari? and the appropriate version will be displayed. For Netscape, in the top left corner go to Netscape > ?About Netscape? and the appropriate version will be displayed.

Please follow the instructions below to detect which Web Browser version you are using for Windows:

  • For Microsoft Internet Explorer, at the far right of the menu toolbar select Help >?About Internet Explorer? and the appropriate version will be displayed. For Netscape, at the far right of the menu toolbar select Help >?About Netscape? and the appropriate version will be displayed.

How do I know if I need to upgrade my Web Browser?

Each new Web Browser version release must first be tested by AIS for compatibility with AIS applications / systems and for security purposes. Therefore, AIS recommends weekly reference to aisweb.usc.edu to check for the latest available Web Browser versions. If you are currently not running the Web Browser version listed, please update your system accordingly.

You can obtain the latest AIS supported Web Browsers from the following links:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based:

How often should I update my Web Browser?

Update your Web Browser to match the appropriate AIS recommended Web Browser, which can be found on aisweb.usc.edu. Each new Web Browser version release must first be tested by AIS for compatibility with AIS applications / systems. Therefore, AIS recommends weekly reference to aisweb.usc.edu to check for the latest available Web Browser versions. If you are currently not running the browser version listed, please update your system accordingly.

You can obtain the latest AIS supported Web Browsers from the following links:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based:

If I receive a Web Browser update prompt, should I run the automatic update?

Maybe. Each new Web Browser version release must first be tested by AIS for compatibility with AIS applications / systems. Therefore, AIS recommends weekly reference to aisweb.usc.edu to check for the latest available Web Browser versions. If you are currently not running the browser version listed, please update your system accordingly.

You can obtain the latest AIS supported Web Browsers from the following links:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based:

Upon clicking the green bar, the following message in the yellow bar appears:
“Error: …possible password expiration”

  • A wrong login code and/or wrong password was entered. Check that the caps lock key is not on. Check that the number lock is on if using the number keypad. Make sure to completely clear the box before trying again, or close the web browser and start over.
  • Your password has expired. Please contact the appropriate System Administrator for further instructions. Please reference Aisweb at https://aisweb.usc.edu/aisweb/USC/SystemAdmin.html
  • You made too many attempts (over 10 times in a row) and as a result are temporarily locked out. Please contact the appropriate System Administrator for further instructions. Please reference Aisweb at https://aisweb.usc.edu/aisweb/USC/SystemAdmin.html

What do the following messages mean?
“Page is not available”, “Page cannot be found”, Page cannot display”

  • Incorrect URL
  • Search engines in a web browser cannot find ais.usc.edu through a search because it is a restricted site. Enter ais.usc.edu directly.
  • A bookmark with an incorrect link was used.
  • The auto complete feature of the web browser automatically completed the website address using a wrong address from a previous attempt. Verify the URL reads ais.usc.edu.
  • ais.usc.edu should NOT have the prefix www or http://
  • The webserver or system may be down. First try to access an alternate website to verify that this is not a network issue. Or, reference Aisweb at https://aisweb.usc.edu/aisweb/USC/SystemsAvail.html to make sure the system is not down for maintenance.
  • The machine’s IP address is blocked. This may occur if the Windows Operating System has not been updated. Verify that the Windows version the machine is running has been updated to the most recent, Ais recommended version. Please reference https://aisweb.usc.edu/aisweb/Universe/BrowserWindows.html

What is a Web Browser and where can I get one?

A Web Browser is a computer software product / application that is used to access a Web Server (a.k.a. Website). Web Browsers allow its users to perform many functions (go to a Web Server, view information stored on the Web Server, print information from a Web Server, enter data into a Web Server, etc.). For example, on your desktop or laptop computer you would use Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Safari (all Web Browsers) to access ais.usc.edu, www.usc.edu, or www.yahoo.com.

All computer software products / applications (MS Word, MS Excel, Eudora, etc.) have new versions periodically released to correct known product deficiencies. Web Browsers are no different. It is always important that you have the latest stable release of a Web Browser. Please refer to the links below to determine the latest stable version of your Web Browser:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based:

You can obtain the latest AIS supported Web Browsers from the following links:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based:

What does ‘configuring a Web Browser’ mean and how do I actually configure my Web Browser?

Web Browsers afford their users a high degree of customization capabilities. With these customization capabilities come choices. Configuring a Web Browser is the act of selecting how a Web Browser should function and is performed by using the Web Browser’s preference selection module.

Typically, Web Browsers only need to be configured when they are first installed or when they are updated to a new version. However, installing programs from websites can also require Web Browsers to be re-configured as the installation process may alter the Web Browser’s configuration without one’s knowledge or permission.

Please refer to the links below to view the Web Browser configuration tutorial:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based:

What is an ‘operating system’ and how do I find out its version?

An operating system is the core computer software that allows your computer to actually run other computer software / application systems and to communicate with printers and disks and networks and modems. With regard to Microsoft operating systems, AIS recommends Windows 2000/XP. With regard to Apple operating systems, AIS recommends Mac OS X, release 10.2.6 or 10.3.

To find out which type and version of operating system your computer is using please follow the instructions below:

  • Inspect your desktop / laptop computer and determine the manufacturer. If the manufacturer is an Apple / Mac, go to the top left corner of the menu, click on the apple icon and select ?About This Mac?. The window will display the version number you are currently running.
  • On all other desktops / laptops, the operating system is most likely Microsoft Windows based. Select the Start button at the bottom left corner of the screen and open the Control Panel. Click on the System icon and the version will be displayed in the pop-up window.

When I click on a link in WEBBA, I get a warning pop-up window. The warning message is something like: ‘The page contains both secure and nonsecure items. Do you want to display the nonsecure items?’ The choices I have to click on are "Yes, No, or More Info." How do I get it to stop?

Please follow the instructions below to correctly configure your Web Browser setting to disable this box:

  • Log in to WEBBA completely. Whenever you get that prompt, click on Yes each time until you complete the steps.
  • On the Internet Explorer toolbar, click on Tools.
  • Select Internet Options from the drop-down menu.
  • Click on the Security tab in the dialog box.
  • Click on the Custom Level button at the bottom of the security dialog box.
  • Scroll down the various settings until you find the settings for Miscellaneous.
  • Under Miscellaneous, find the item Display mixed content. Click on enabled instead of prompt.
  • Click on OK in that dialog box.
  • You will get another pop-up warning "Are you sure you want to change the security setting for this zone?" Click on Yes.
  • Click on OK again under security in the dialog box. The pop-ups should stop from then on.

The above instructions can also be found at:

Where can I find / locate the latest AIS recommended Web Browser versions?

You can obtain the latest AIS supported Web Browsers from the following links:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based:

Which Web Browser version should I use?

All computer software products / applications (MS Word, MS Excel, Eudora, etc.) have new versions periodically released to correct known product deficiencies. Web Browsers are no different. It is always important that you have the latest stable release of a Web Browser. Please refer to the links below to determine the latest stable version of your Web Browser:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based:

You can obtain the latest AIS supported Web Browsers from the following links:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based:

Who do I call if I need help with configuring my Web Browser?

Please do not hesitate to call AIS at 213-821-2000. This line is answered every workday between the hours of 8AM – 5PM. Please tell the phone operator that you need help configuring your Web Browser and you will be routed to the next available technical support person. In addition, you can also contact your software application system support person or the technical support person in your department. Please see below for a list.

  • CEC - AIS User Support, 213-821-2000
  • ePar - Nolan Gomm, 323-442-2398
  • ePay - AIS User Support, 213-821-2000
  • eTrac - Gloria Guerra, 213-821-2000
  • Faculty Salary Management System - Gloria Guerra, 213-821-2000
  • SRL - AIS User Support, 213-821-2000
  • WebBa access - Si Nguyen, 213-821-1900
  • WebBa usage - Cathy Maddaford, 213-821-1900
  • WebBDS - Cathy Maddaford, 213-821-1900
  • WebEP - AIS User Support, 213-821-2000
  • WebFBA - Susan Burbar, 213-821-1970
  • WebGL - Marc Bloom, 213-821-1900
  • WebPPBS - Gloria Guerra, 213-821-2000
  • WebRHS - Paula Sanas, 213-740-7371
  • WebTellus - Debbie Ratcliff, 213-740-6167
  • WebTMS - Debbie Ratcliff, 213-740-6167

You can also email AIS for assistance at help@fismaster.usc.edu.

Why do I need a Web Browser?

Web Browsers allow its users to perform many functions (i.e., go to a Web Server, view information stored on the Web Server, print information from a Web Server, enter data into a Web Server, etc.). For example, on your desktop or laptop computer you would use Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Safari (all Web Browsers) to access ais.usc.edu, www.usc.edu, or www.yahoo.com.

Why can’t I use a Web Browser version older than that recommended by AIS?

Due to the discussed deficiency of older Web Browser versions, not all AIS applications / systems may function properly with antiquated Web Browser versions. Therefore, AIS performs rigorous testing of all its applications / systems in order to determine security, compatibility and usability. AIS recommends weekly reference to aisweb.usc.edu to check for the latest available Web Browser versions. If you are currently not running the Web Browser version listed, please update your system accordingly.

You can obtain the latest AIS supported Web Browsers from the following links:

Microsoft Windows-based:

Mac OS X-based: