Cyber-Security Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month - an initiative started by the Department of Homeland Security. Their theme this year is “Our Shared Responsibility”. Users should practice good security measures for themselves and family. The following is a list of guidelines you should follow.
1. How to choose a password:
• Don't use passwords that are based on personal information that can be easily accessed or guessed.
• Don't use words that can be found in any dictionary of any language.
• Use both lowercase and capital letters.
• Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Use different passwords on different systems
2. Keep your operating system and browser up to date. Installing patches help to eliminate security holes in the program. Delete cookies and temporary Internet files on a regular basis. Make sure you clear your cache after visiting secure sites so that nobody can view any confidential information you may have transmitted. Windows users can check for updates at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Mac users can check for updates by clicking the Apple icon and then “Software Update”.
3. Install an anti-virus program and keep it up-to-date. A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission or knowledge of the owner. Make sure automatic scans can be done when you’re not using your computer but it is a good idea to manually scan files you receive from an outside source or any other media you may retrieve files from. Here are some guidelines:
a. Purchases from a well know company Symantec Norton, Trend Micro, Kaspersky or AVG. Pick one you are comfortable using. AVG offers a completely free anti-virus product at http://free.avg.com
b. Be aware that many computers come with a limited (60-day or 120-day evaluation version) of anti-virus software. It is very important that you either renew the license when your evaluation is over or switch to another anti-virus product.
c. An out of date anti-virus program offers little or no protection at all.
d. Never install more than one anti-virus program at a time. Installing more than one anti-virus program at a time can make your computer slow to a crawl.
4. Install an anti-spyware program and keep it up to date. Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on computers and that collects information about users without their knowledge. Here are two programs that we recommend (for Windows users):
a. Microsoft Windows Defender (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/defaul...) – For Windows XP users only. If you have Windows Vista – it already includes this software.
b. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (http://www.malwarebytes.org/) – This software has a free version that you can run on-demand or you can pay for an automated version.
5. Lock your computer when you are away – even for a few minutes.
6. Disconnect your computer from the Internet when not in use. There are viruses and attackers looking for vulnerable computers.
7. Backup all your files on a regular basis and keep in a secure location. A USB Flash drive makes a good, cheap backup device.
8. The following outlines steps you can take to protect your mobile communication device (cell phone, netbook, or laptop). Some of the steps are dependent upon the functionality of your device.
• Use a password to access your device.
• If the Bluetooth functionality is not used, check to be sure this setting is disabled.
• Never leave mobile devices unattended as they are easy to take and hide.
9. Do not open email attachments from non-trusted sources.
10. Do not follow links to untrusted sources, especially from unsolicited email or text messages.
11. Watch out for “phishing” attacks that try to trick you into divulging your username and passwords. These attacks usually come in the form of an email that claims to be from your Information Technology (IT) department asking for your username and password. The IT department never needs to know your username and password information.
For our “Our Shared Responsibility” theme get family and friends involved with safe Internet surfing. Be wary of information you find on social network sites. Use your organization email for educational or business purposes only, use your personal email for any inquires that is not university related.
12. Be wary of downloading free files, programs or screen savers as they may have imbedded malicious software.
13. Limit your personal information on Social Networking Sites.
For detailed information, go to the United States computer emergency readiness team website. http://www.us-cert.gov/
1. How to choose a password:
• Don't use passwords that are based on personal information that can be easily accessed or guessed.
• Don't use words that can be found in any dictionary of any language.
• Use both lowercase and capital letters.
• Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Use different passwords on different systems
2. Keep your operating system and browser up to date. Installing patches help to eliminate security holes in the program. Delete cookies and temporary Internet files on a regular basis. Make sure you clear your cache after visiting secure sites so that nobody can view any confidential information you may have transmitted. Windows users can check for updates at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Mac users can check for updates by clicking the Apple icon and then “Software Update”.
3. Install an anti-virus program and keep it up-to-date. A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission or knowledge of the owner. Make sure automatic scans can be done when you’re not using your computer but it is a good idea to manually scan files you receive from an outside source or any other media you may retrieve files from. Here are some guidelines:
a. Purchases from a well know company Symantec Norton, Trend Micro, Kaspersky or AVG. Pick one you are comfortable using. AVG offers a completely free anti-virus product at http://free.avg.com
b. Be aware that many computers come with a limited (60-day or 120-day evaluation version) of anti-virus software. It is very important that you either renew the license when your evaluation is over or switch to another anti-virus product.
c. An out of date anti-virus program offers little or no protection at all.
d. Never install more than one anti-virus program at a time. Installing more than one anti-virus program at a time can make your computer slow to a crawl.
4. Install an anti-spyware program and keep it up to date. Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on computers and that collects information about users without their knowledge. Here are two programs that we recommend (for Windows users):
a. Microsoft Windows Defender (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/defaul...) – For Windows XP users only. If you have Windows Vista – it already includes this software.
b. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (http://www.malwarebytes.org/) – This software has a free version that you can run on-demand or you can pay for an automated version.
5. Lock your computer when you are away – even for a few minutes.
6. Disconnect your computer from the Internet when not in use. There are viruses and attackers looking for vulnerable computers.
7. Backup all your files on a regular basis and keep in a secure location. A USB Flash drive makes a good, cheap backup device.
8. The following outlines steps you can take to protect your mobile communication device (cell phone, netbook, or laptop). Some of the steps are dependent upon the functionality of your device.
• Use a password to access your device.
• If the Bluetooth functionality is not used, check to be sure this setting is disabled.
• Never leave mobile devices unattended as they are easy to take and hide.
9. Do not open email attachments from non-trusted sources.
10. Do not follow links to untrusted sources, especially from unsolicited email or text messages.
11. Watch out for “phishing” attacks that try to trick you into divulging your username and passwords. These attacks usually come in the form of an email that claims to be from your Information Technology (IT) department asking for your username and password. The IT department never needs to know your username and password information.
For our “Our Shared Responsibility” theme get family and friends involved with safe Internet surfing. Be wary of information you find on social network sites. Use your organization email for educational or business purposes only, use your personal email for any inquires that is not university related.
12. Be wary of downloading free files, programs or screen savers as they may have imbedded malicious software.
13. Limit your personal information on Social Networking Sites.
For detailed information, go to the United States computer emergency readiness team website. http://www.us-cert.gov/
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