Computer Security Tip for Students
1. Check Windows Update regularly. Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com to obtain the latest security updates and patches for all supported versions of Windows. (Windows Me, 2000 and XP users can configure automatic updates. Click on the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and choose the appropriate options.) 2. Buy antivirus software and keep it up to date. The Augsburg College bookstore’s website offers discounted versions of Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus 2004 for Windows for only $32.98 – it’s normally $49.95 at a store! If you’re not willing to pay, try online-only scanners available at www.pandasoftware.com/activescan and http://housecall.trendmicro.com. 3. Install a free spyware blocker. We recommend a product called SpyBot Search & Destroy (http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot is also paranoid and ruthless in hunting out tracking cookies. A copy of it is located in Orgs\\Information Technology\PUBLIC\Student Computing Desk. 4. Check your computer for open ports. Open ports can be being used to relay porn or spam, or as part of a Denial of Service (DoS) attack. You can use the free PestPatrol Port Checker utility, available at www.pestpatrol.com. A copy of the utility is also located in Orgs\\Information Technology\PUBLIC\Student Computing Desk. 5. Block pop-up spam messages. In Windows NT, 2000 or XP, disable the Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated to the instant messaging program). Open Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services and you’ll see Messenger. Right click and go to Properties. Set Start-up Type to Disabled and press the Stop button. Bye-bye, spam and pop-ups! 6. Use strong passwords and change them periodically. Passwords should have at least six characters; use letters and numbers and have at least one symbol. A decent example would be “uGr*s18d”. This will make it much harder for anyone to gain access to your accounts. Stop by the Student Computing Desk to change your password! 7. Use updated email software. If you’re using Outlook or Outlook Express, use the current version or one with the Outlook Security Update installed. The update and current versions patch numerous vulnerabilities. We strongly recommend using AugNet’s webmail or Mozilla’s mail client. 8. Use available security settings. If you have a wireless network, turn on the security features: Use MAC filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP with the biggest key you can get. 9. Be skeptical of things on the internet. Don’t assume that email “From:” a particular person is actually from that person until you have further reason to believe it’s that person. Don’t assume that an attachment is what it says it is. Don’t give out your password to anyone, even if that person claims to be from “support”. Pay attention to emails claiming to be from Ebay, PayPal and Microsoft – there are several scams and/or viruses going around claiming to be from one of these three sources.