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Computer Security:Computer Security:

Protect your PCand Protect Yourself

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Firewalls work to block unsolicited entry to your computer. The firewall routs communication through a proxy server outside the network.

Computer Firewalls

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Security Center

To set your firewall to be enabled to protect your computer go to your Start menu, Click on Settings Control Panel Security Center

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Your work computer should already have the firewall enabled. On your home computermake sure the firewall is set to On.

Computer Firewalls

Firewalls are your first line of computer defense.

Select Windows Firewall

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Automatic Updates

Automatic Updates: your continual line of defense to new viruses, worms, and other hacker tools used to enter your computer.

Installing updates allows your computer to be continually protected against the changing environment.

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Set to Automatically Update

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Use Antivirus Protection

McAfee, Norton, AVG, etc

Only use one of them!!

Make sure it is enabled

Icon is usually in the system tray

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VirusesEmail, Web, and Instant Message

Viruses come in email attachments, URL links, and Instant Messages. Do not trust the icons of attachment file. Worms often send executable

files which have an icon resembling icons of picture, text or archive files (to fool the user).

Never accept attachments from strangers in online chat systems such as IRC, ICQ or AOL Instant Messenger.

Avoid downloading files from public newsgroups (Usenet news). These are often used by virus writers to distribute their new viruses.

Be wary of installing a “free” cd to your computer. It may have other things it installs without your knowledge.

If you don’t know the sender of the message,don’t open any attachments, or click on anyURL addresses in an email,

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Internet Security

Anyone who is connected to the internet should know about security. Take time to educate yourself on the issues. Vigilance is the best defense against system vulnerabilities.

Install Anti Virus Software and keep it up to date. Using the most up to date version of this will ensure that it is kept up to date.

Keep your operating system up to date. The best way to do this if you are using Windows is to turn on auto update.

www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/

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How do you know you have a virus?

Your computer runs more slowly than normal

Your computer stops responding or locks up often

Your computer crashes and restarts every few minutes

Your computer restarts on its own and then fails to run normally

Applications on your computer don't work correctly

Disks or disk drives are inaccessible

You can't print correctly

You see unusual error messages

You see distorted menus and dialog boxes

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Worst Case Scenario

Received a virus – now what?

Several Possibilities• Load Anti virus software, let the software

detect and attempt to fix your computer» May not solve the entire problem

• “Reimage” your machine(reinstall everything)» Time consuming

• Take it to a professional» Can be costly ($$)

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Resources

The following web addresses provide very helpful information in addition to this presentation.

Security at Homewww.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/

Protecting a new computerhttp://www.purdue.edu/securepurdue/bestPractices/newComputer.cfm