Practice Safe Computing
Use Protection!
"A little precaution before a crisis occurs is preferrable to a lot of fixing up afterward."
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Protection For
- Viruses
- Spyware
- Identity Theft
- Zombie Drones
- Spam
- Passwords & Usernames
- Hard Drive failures
- Online Communities & Social Networks
Viruses
Malicious programs or codes inserted into computer systems without the user's permission.
www.bsacybersafety.com
Virus Protection
- Install an Antivirus software package. You can find these at any reputable computer store (Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot, Best Buy, etc.).
- Keep your Antivirus software updated. Antivirus updates are typically released every week.
- Do NOT open email attachments – even if it appears to be from a friend or coworker – unless you are expecting it AND know what it contains AND you save the file AND run a virus scan on that file.
If you have not installed virus protection on your computer, we recommend Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows as a free alternative.
Spyware
Software installed without your knowledge or consent that may be used to hijack the Internet browser, capture keystrokes, sniff passwords, or perhaps allow outsiders to take control of your computer.
Malware
Any software program developed for the purpose of doing harm to a computer system or to create malicious mischief.
www.bsacybersafety.com
Spyware & Malware Protection
- Resist the urge to install any software unless you know exactly what it is. Be sure to save the file and run your antivirus software before installing.
- Install an anti–spyware software program.
- Install a program to better control popup ads (such as the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer).
Identity Theft
A crime whereby criminals impersonate individuals, usually for financial gain.
www.webopedia.com
Phishing
Official looking and sounding messages that urge immediate action to update sensitive financial and identity information.
www.bsacybersafety.com
Pharming
A technically sophisticated scam designed to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information such as a bank account, a credit card, and a Social Security Number (SSN).
www.bsacybersafety.com
Nigerian Scam
Unsolicited email messages from a stranger who promises great wealth – a get–rich–quick scheme.
www.bsacybersafety.com
Identity Theft Protection
- Before giving out personal information, find out how it will be used.
- Do NOT reply to email or pop–ups asking for personal information.
- Know the people with whom you are dealing. If you don't know them, don't give them any personal information.
Online Shopping & Banking Protection
Do NOT provide personal or financial information until you have checked for indicators that the site is secure.
- The VeriSign Secured Seal (SSL). For more information, visit the VeriSign Seal FAQ.
- An URL that begins with "https" instead of "http"
- A lock symbol on the browser's status bar
In Internet Explorer:
In Mozilla Firefox:
- Know the people with whom you are dealing. If you don't know them, don't give them any personal information.
Zombie Drones
Personal computer secretly under the control of hackers. Usually, spammers will try to reroute email through a controlled computer, often to thousands of recipients.
www.bsacybersafety.com
Zombie Drone Protection
- Install a personal firewall to keeps hackers from using your computer to send out your personal information without your permission.
- A firewall looks for outside attempts to access your computer and blocks communications to and from sources you do not authorize.
Spam
Unsolicited email advertising products or services.
Spam Protection
- Be selective with your email address. You should have a business email address, one for family and friends, and one for general use.
- Do not request to be removed from a spammer's list.
- Many ISPs have systems in place to block spam before it even gets to your computer. At ASU, we block over 80% of incoming email monthly.
- Just delete the message you don't want to read.
- When buying online, watch for the question asking if you want to receive information from the company. Oftentimes, this is checked "yes" by default.
Passwords & Usernames
Your password and username – another line of defense against illegal entry into your cyber life.
Protecting Your Passwords & Usernames
- Keep your passwords in a secure place
- Don't share your passwords
- Use passwords that have at least eight characters and include numbers or symbols
- Avoid common words
- Do NOT use your login name
- Change your passwords regularly (at a minimum every 90 days)
- Vary the password used for each online account
Laptops, Wireless Internet, & Passwords
- Protect your laptop when in a wireless zone
- Set a password for your local computer logon
Online Communities & Social Networks
- Instant Messaging
- Blogs
- Chat Rooms
- Forums
- Social Networks (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc.)
Online Protection
- Be careful when creating a screen name – no personal information should be revealed with your screen name.
- Never provide sensitive personal information unless you know the people on the other end of the conversation.
- Be wary of other chatters who ask you to meet in private chat rooms.
- If you decide to meet a stranger, take a responsible adult with you. Meet AND STAY in a public place. Children should NEVER agree to meet a stranger in person.
Web Posting Guidelines
- What you post is public information – THE WORLD (current employers, future employers, friends, and family...possibly even total strangers*) can see what you post.
- Don't post anything that would embarrass you later. Remember what you think is cute and silly today, could be stupid and dumb tomorrow.
- Avoid posting anything that would make it easy for a stranger to find you.
∗ Social Network websites (such as Facebook) typically have a privacy feature to allow you to determine what you share and keep confidential. Be aware that such privacy features are constantly changing and can result in personal information you wanted to keep private being shared with the general public. If you share personal information online, be sure you monitor the privacy settings on this information when a privacy feature is changed. Your best protection is to NEVER share personal information online.
Hard Drive Failure
Your computer hard drive will crash or become unusable – this WILL happen!
Hard Drive Protection
- Every new computer comes with System Restore disks or provides you the option to create these using the System Restore wizard for your system.
- If you need to create the disks, make this the first thing you do once you set up your computer.
- Take these disks and put them in a safe and secure place in case you need to use them again.
Backup Your Data
Backup your files. Save important files on a regular basis. Backup your files to a CS, DVD, external hard drive, or other storage device.
"If you don't want it, don't back it up."
For those special family photos, you may want to keep a copy in your fireproof safe or safety deposit box.
Computer Maintenance
- Check for system updates weekly.
- Most computers can be set to automatically download and install patches and updates to critical software.
- Windows computer users should defrag the system on a monthly basis.
- If you use specific software on a regular basis, you should check for software updates routinely. These updates can include fixing security flaws or other important issues with software you depend on.
Problems Still Happen.
- There is not a 100% protection guarantee that your information will be safe if you follow all of these steps. Do the best you can!
- Save your System Recovery disks and make your backups on a regular basis.
- Practice safe online computing.
Remember...
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
"Only the paranoid survive!"
Footnotes
Information used for this presentation was collected from the following websites and resources.