Release
UAlbany Offers Tips for Back-to-School Computer Security
Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150
ALBANY, N.Y. (September 6, 2006) -- In a time when the computer gets hooked up before the television or the refrigerator, residential college students face increasing risks to their privacy and personal security from on-line threats. College networks are prime targets for hackers and thieves looking to exploit unprotected PCs. The University at Albany's residential network program (ResNet) and Information Security Officer offer several common-sense methods for students to protect themselves and their computers from cyber criminals.
- Turn off
your computer when not in use:
The strongest protection you can
provide for your PC is to turn
it off when you're not using it.
Leaving your computer on when
you're away is like leaving your
keys in your car with the engine
running. Hackers will find you
if you're connected.
- Use
anti-virus software and keep it
up-to-date: Many mail
systems at major organizations
scan for viruses before
delivering mail. But there are
many other ways for viruses and
worms to reach your computer.
When properly set up, anti-virus
software will automatically
update its virus database,
providing you with the most
current protection against
malicious code.
- Keep your
PC patched: Microsoft and
other application vendors
regularly release updates to
their software to fix bugs and
plug security holes. It's
critical that you keep your
operating system (e.g. Windows
XP) current. Microsoft releases
updates generally on the first
Tuesday of each month. You can
set up your computer to
automatically download these
critical patches. See the
Network Security CD for more
information.
- Use
complex passwords on all system
accounts: All Windows
systems include a standard
account that is universally
known, the Administrator
account. If you do not have a
strong, complex password set for
this account, or any other user
account on your PC, anyone can
gain remote entry into
your computer and all its files,
information, and applications.
What's more, if they log in
using the Administrator (or
Admin) account, they can write
their own files and applications
to your disk, and delete yours.
- Use
Antispyware Software:
It's just as important as
antivirus software. Spyware
refers to several kinds of
malicious software programs
designed to intercept or take
partial control of your computer
without your knowledge or
consent. Several good free
products are available. Remember
to scan often and keep the
definitions up-to-date.
- Back up
your computer regularly:
Murphy's Law, due diligence, and
acknowledging that anything that
spins at 7,000 rpm 24 hours a
day, seven days a week will
break down- sooner or
later. Back your data files up
to a CD or flash drive. Floppies
will fail.
- Practice Safe Computing: Cyber criminals have become very sophisticated and have developed effective techniques for fooling you into loading their malicious software or providing confidential, personal information. A good rule of thumb is: "Trust but Verify." It's estimated that 1 in 3 on-line users have malware installed on their computers. How did it get there? The victims were tricked into loading it themselves. Email messages with malicious attachments, IMs with poison links, file sharing software larded with Spyware, web pages that install malware when viewed, financial and person information supplied in response to a fraudulent email solicitation...these are common ways that individuals compromise themselves and their computers. Security measures are only as effective as the individuals who practice them. Ultimately, you are responsible for safeguarding your system and the information it contains.
For more information, visit the UAlbany residential network.
