Computer Security: More important than ever
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The campus community has never been more vigilant about safeguarding the security of its online information. But hackers never sleep, and the job of computer security never ends.
Here are four things you can do today, during Computer Security Awareness Month, to make sure that your computing is safe and secure:
1. Install antivirus software and update your definition files
Install and run the free Symantec antivirus software distributed by the campus. Download it at www.cio.wisc.edu/security
2. Watch out for phishing
Phishing scams continue to be an enormous problem. Even though 98% of faculty and staff know not to respond to unsolicited requests for personal information (according to DoIT's annual computing survey), some computer users still fall prey to phishing attempts. Remember that no legitimate organization or individual will ever ask you for user IDs, passwords, account numbers, etc., in any email. For more information, see www.cio.wisc.edu/security
3. Patch your OS and other software Hackers are always looking for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in computer security. Stay ahead of them by regularly updating your computer's operating system and other software.
Windows users should use the Windows Update and Microsoft Update features to patch their OS, MS Office applications, and other software. Mac users can get the latest patches for Mac OS X from Software Update. For instructions, see www.cio.wisc.edu/security/secure/updateOS.aspx
Set up your computer for automatic notification of needed updates. When an update is available, you get an alert message to install it.
Applications such as Flash, Adobe Reader and Java have become new pathways for hacker attack. Make sure your copies are updated. Don't forget to update your browser. Internet Explorer users can rely on Windows Update for patches. The Firefox browser automatically checks for updates. Safari users can rely on Apple's Software Update service.
4. Learn more about secure computing
Talk to your local IT support person about computer security. Go to www.cio.wisc.edu/security for the details on protecting your identity, safeguarding private information, avoiding online scams, evading eavesdroppers, communicating securely, preventing loss of valuable data and more. It's all there on a few easy-to-read Web pages.