Basic Computer Security Tips

 

Understanding computer threats and how to protect your computer can be overwhelming.  The information below provides some fundamental information to help you secure your computer and protect yourself and your data as you use it.

Protect Yourself From Computer Viruses
Install Software Updates
Avoid Adware & Spyware
Watch Out for Phishing Attacks
Protect Your Passwords
Computer Security Glossary
 

Protect Yourself From Computer Viruses  

• Install antivirus software on your computer and keep it up-to-date. Most antivirus companies update their software weekly.
• Use your antivirus software to scan your computer regularly.
• Never open unexpected email attachments, even if they come from someone you trust. Such attachments often carry viruses or other malicious software.
• See Computer Security Glossary for more information on viruses and other forms of malware.

Install Software Updates  

• Microsoft regularly issues security updates for its Windows operating systems. Make sure you keep your computer’s operating system up-to-date by regularly visiting http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
• If you have a Mac, you should also be careful to keep your operating system up-to-date. However, most Macs are automatically configured to download and install updates.
• Remember, no matter what kind of computer you have, most updates require that your computer be restarted before they can take effect.

Avoid Adware & Spyware  

• Use a program such as SpyBot Search & Destroy or Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware to regularly scan your computer for malicious software. These programs will also remove the Malware for you.
• Only install programs from trusted sources.
• Be wary of “free” software. Read the license agreement carefully.

Watch Out for Phishing Attacks  

• “Phishing” is the name of a particular kind of online fraud intended to rob you of personal information, such as bank account numbers, passwords and so forth.
• Phishing attacks mimic the emails and web sites of banks and other legitimate online enterprises in an attempt to trick you into revealing personal information.
• To avoid falling victim to a phishing scam:
  • Be wary of emails you receive from online businesses that ask you to “update” your account.
  • Do not click web links in suspect emails, pop-up windows or text messages. They often lead to fraudulent web sites made to look like real business web sites
  • If you need to visit your bank’s web site, or the web site of some other online organization with which you do business, open a new browser window and type in the URL yourself.

Protect Your Passwords  

• Never reveal your passwords to anyone.
• Change your passwords regularly.
• When creating a password, avoid using easily guessed words or numbers.
• When creating a password, use a combination of letters and numbers, if possible.
• You can achieve even greater password security by including a combination of upper and lower case letters in your password.

Computer Security Glossary  

• Malware
  • Short for “malicious software.” A generic term for any kind of software specifically designed to cause damage to a computer or computer network.
  • Malicious activities of malware include deletion of data, theft of personal information, denial of service attacks on network resources and hijacking of computer processing power.
  • Types of malware include viruses, Trojans, worms, adware, and spyware.
     
• Virus
  • A computer program that spreads from one file to another, or one computer to another, without the knowledge or consent of the user.
  • Traditionally, viruses require a host file to propagate and spread.
  • A classic example of a virus is Michelangelo, which spread via floppy disks in 1992.
     
• Worm
  • A worm is a type of virus that does not need to attach itself to a file in order to spread.
  • Like traditional viruses, a worm does not require the knowledge or consent of the user to spread.
  • A recent example of a worm is W32/Sasser.worm, which spread from computer to computer over the internet in the Spring of 2004.
     
• Trojan
  • A trojan is a type of malware that masquerades as something harmless. It will attempt to trick you into running it by appearing to be something of interest to you, such as an MP3 or an animated greeting card.
  • When run, a trojan executes its payload, usually either destructive (deleting data) or invasive (stealing personal information). Some trojans install “back doors” that allow an attacker to take control of your PC.
  •  Many antivirus experts do not consider trojans to be viruses, as they are typically not self-replicating.
  • A recent example of a trojan is Exploit-URL.Spoof, which masqueraded as an email from online banking services, and attempted to trick users into revealing account information.
     
• Adware & Spyware
  • Adware is any program that displays ads while it runs. There is nothing inherently malicious in this activity, as it can help keep the cost of software development down. However, some adware goes one step further by harvesting data about you and your internet habits to more effectively target the ads that you see. Any adware program that collects data about you and reports it back to the software company, without your knowledge or consent, is called spyware.
  • The dangers of spyware are two-fold. Firstly, it spies on and reports your computer and web-surfing habits.  Secondly, it uses up valuable processor and network resources, making your PC slow and unstable.
  • Unlike viruses, worms and trojans, adware and spyware do not usually contain destructive payloads. They do not self-replicate and do not destroy data (though some may steal it). Adware, and spyware in particular, are often installed by other, benign programs, without the knowledge of the user.
  • Examples of programs that have been known to install spyware include Kazaa, Grokster and Morpheus.
  • Examples of spyware include Bonzi Buddy, Gator, Xupiter and Hotbar.

For further information or assistance, the Technology Services Help Desk is available by telephone at (205) 665-6520 24 hours a day, 7 days a week  If you are outside the local calling area, a toll free number is also available, (866) 540-2401.  Alternatively, an email can be sent to helpdesk@montevallo.edu. 

Last updated August 2009