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Safe Computing GuidE

As computers have become a more integral part of our jobs and daily lives, protecting their operation and securing the data contained within has become more and more important.

Responsible Computing includes:

Whom To Contact

helpdesk@valdosta.edu
229-245-4357

  1. If in doubt, always ask our IT department for advice using the above contact information, do not open the file or email.

  2. If you think you have been infected with a virus inform our IT department immediately. Do not panic or interrupt other users.

  3. Do not forward virus warnings to others. Send such warning to the Helpdesk.

  4. The CIO or appropriate delegates will evaluate the risks, alert the campus community, and take steps to prevent the spread of viruses.

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Passwords

  1. Never share passwords or Personal Identification Numbers (PINs). Even spouses and family members should not know your passwords.

  2. Obvious passwords like your name, names of family members, your address, or information someone might easily find in your wallet or at your computer will be easily compromised. Avoid real words as many automated password crackers attempt them in what is called a dictionary attack.

    Choose complex, seemingly random passwords whose logic is known only to you make the best passwords. Passwords that mix apparently-random letters (lower and upper case), digits and punctuation are harder for people and programs to crack.

  3. Use a different password for every different web site or access account. Should one password be compromised it cannot be used to grant someone access other services.

  4. Change your passwords regularly. If you suspect someone has compromised your password, change it immediately.

  5. Do not record your passwords any place the password could be found such as near the computer, on or in desks, in filing cabinets, or in wallets or purses.

  6. Watch for signs of misuse, such as sent e-mail that you did not create or unexplained logins.

  7. Log out of computers and web sites before you leave a computer.
    Good:
    • Initials of a song lyric: "Once upon a midnight dreary as I pondered": ouA4mDa1p
    • Initials of persons or pets: "John Q. Public" + "Jane A. Doe": jq%PJ8ad
    Bad:
    • God
    • John
    • Jane
    • 12345
    • lawyer

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Backups

  1. Have both on-site (for quick restores) and off-site (for best safety) of your important files and data.

  2. Edit copies of the original file instead of the original.

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Email / Web / File Sharing

  1. Do not run, download or forward any unsolicited executables, documents, spreadsheets, etc. Anything that runs on your PC should be virus checked and approved first.

  2. Any email you were not expecting should be treated with suspicion, even if it comes from someone you know. It is worth calling whoever sent it to you to check that they intended to send you the email.

  3. Do not open any files with a double file extension, (e.g. iamavirus.txt.vbs). Under normal circumstances you should never need to receive or use these.

  4. Check-out any news, alerts, or business opportunities you receive before passing them along; see:

    urbanlegends.about.com

  5. Although JPG, GIF and MP3 files cannot be infected with a virus, viruses can be disguised as these file types. Jokes, pictures, graphics, screen savers and movie files should be treated with the same amount of suspicion as other file types.

  6. Any communication between 2 computers that may contain sensitive information should be conducted over an encrypted connection. Choose encrypted alternatives when possible (i.e., SSH instead of Telnet).

  7. Connections via certain protocols identified as dangerous may be blocked by VSU's Network Services.

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Updates

  1. Keep Anti-virus software updated. Your OfficeScan pattern files should be near the level listed at this web site.

    http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

  2. You can get AVG Free Edition product for use at home, see:

    http://www.grisoft.com/us.product-avg-anti-virus-free-edition

  3. Get a second opinion about your computer's lack of a computer virus infection.Never install a 2nd Anti-Virus program on your computer. They interfere with each other. Instead, use a web-based virus checker.

    Housecall
    http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

  4. Keep Windows & Office applications updated. Visit windowsupdate.microsoft.com and officeupdate.microsoft.com. A systems management system will be phased in to take care of this task for your office computer.

  5. Configure Internet Explorer to have at least Medium security for the Internet Zone.

    http://www.trendmicro.com/pc-cillin/vinfo/safe_computing/#3

    IE should also have High security for the Restricted Zone.

  6. Configure Windows to show the file name extensions.

    http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/security/trojanext.html
    http://www.trendmicro.com/pc-cillin/vinfo/safe_computing/#2

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Computer Access

  1. If you have to work at home ensure that you follow the same procedures there as you do at work. Viruses can easily be brought into an organization along with work that has been done on a home PC.

    Home Network Security
    http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/home_networks.html

    Home Computer Security
    http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

  2. Make wise decisions about who uses your personal computer.

  3. Stay away from computers or web sites to which you are not authorized to access.

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Protect Your Privacy

  1. Position computer monitors away from doors and windows.

  2. Only use an "unsubscribe" or "remove" link for companies you are certain will actually remove you from the email list. Many spammers use such links to confirm that you received the email.

  3. Passwords exist to keep others from getting into your account. Having software remember your password allows someone using that computer to get into your account.

  4. Never disclose sensitive information to sites you do not completely trust. This includes complete names and number combinations like credit card numbers, social security, birth days, etc.

  5. Never use publicly accessible computers to access sensitive information.

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Please let us know if you have any further questions or problems concerning these resources. Contact our Help Desk by telephone at 245-4357 or by email at helpdesk@valdosta.edu.

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