Tips

Use a combination of both an anti-virus program and multiple anti-spyware programs.

  • With anti-virus programs, make sure your subscription is current and you’ve enabled the auto-protect and automatic update features.
  • Using anti-virus and anti-spyware programs ensures that your computer is protected against a majority of widespread viruses and spyware programs. Using multiple anti-spyware programs can be useful, but never use or even install more than one ant-virus program at the same time as it will have severely adverse effects on your computer.
  • Be sure to schedule your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs to scan your computer at least every week.
  • There are many free anti-spyware programs available and many programs you can purchase.

Windows Updates are essential to the well-being of your computer. Setting it to automatically update notifies you when critical system updates are available to install.

  • For XP: Go to Start > Control Panel > Security Center (In Category View) > Automatic Updates > On
  • For Windows Vista: Go to Start > Control Panel > Security > Under Security Center, click “Turn automatic updating on or off” > Select “Install updates automatically (recommended)” and select a schedule
  • Another way to update is through Internet Explorer. Click “Tools” from the toolbar and then select “Windows Update.” You will be redirected to the Microsoft Windows website to manually download updates.

Use a firewall!

  • Windows XP has firewall features. It is very important to have a firewall installed with a high-speed Internet connection to protect your computer and your privacy while on the Internet.
  • To set this up on XP, go to Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall > Select “On (Recommended)” > OK.

Make your Internet browser more secure.

  • For Internet Explorer, set security level to medium or higher to prevent unauthorized downloads or automatically running Windows Active Scripts.
    o To do this, select Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > High (from the drop down menu) > Reset >Yes > OK
  • Mozilla Firefox: The inability to block JavaScript is one downside of Firefox. Luckily, an ad-in called NoScript (www.noscript.net) was created. This add-on puts a warning bar at the bottom of the browser window. When it shows up, click to display the options for allowing/blocking scripts on a site-to-site basis, either permanently or temporarily.

Encrypt your wireless network.

  • Especially living in residence halls, neighbors can leech off your wireless Internet connection. Unfortunately, if they illegally download something or commit some other violation of University Code, it will be impossible for us to determine who actually committed the office. You are therefore responsible for all traffic through your wireless router, so secure it!
  • Each wireless router has different instructions as to how to encrypt and secure your wireless network. Please see the manufacturer’s instructions or reference our instruction sheet for directions and call ResTek if you need further assistance.

Be smart with your E-mail!

  • Most viruses infect your computer via e-mail so it is very important to be smart about your e-mail.
  • Never click on links in e-mail messages from people you don’t know, even if you receive an e-mail from the FBI or CIA. The government never mass e-mails the general public. Do not open these e-mails.
  • Scan all e-mail attachments (from friends and family too) for viruses. Set your anti-virus software to scan incoming and outgoing e-mail automatically.
  • Turn off the e-mail preview feature because some e-mail viruses only need to be previewed to cause damage.
    • Microsoft Outlook: View > Reading Pane > Off
    • Outlook Express: View > Layout > Show Preview Pane unchecked.
    • Mozilla Thunderbird: View > Layout > Message Pane unchecked.
  • Read your mail in plain text. Reading it in rich text is more dangerous and leaves your more vulnerable to e-mail attacks.
    • Microsoft Outlook: Tools > Options > Preferences > E-mail Options > Read all standard mail in plain text
    • Outlook Express: Tools > Options > Read > Read all messages in plain text.
    • Mozilla Thunderbird: View > Message Body As > Plain Text
  • Never open an attachment that you were not expecting, even from a friend.
  • Do not respond to any e-mails requesting personal information.
  • Never reply to spam or click the “unsubscribe” link. This tells the spammer that your e-mail address is valid and you will most likely receive more spam as a result.
  • Get multiple e-mail addresses. Places like Hotmail and Yahoo! give free e-mail addresses. Use a separate e-mail for work, friends/family, and a different account for anything that requires an e-mail address (i.e. contests, online shopping, newsletters, etc). This way unwanted advertisements and solicitations will be mostly confined to one address, and you wont have to sift through it when look at your “real” e-mail.

Use your gut instinct when on an instant messenger program.

  • Never click links from friends IMs or profile links. Instant messenger worms trick people into clicking links that spread computer worms.
    • An infected computer will send IMs out to everyone on their buddy list, often with innocent messages like “hey, check this out!” or “come look at my pictures!”
    • Ask your friend if they sent it to you. If you don’t get a response, don’t click it and close the window.

Other smart internet habits:

  • Never reveal personal information online where an uncontrolled audience has access to it (i.e. FaceBook, MySpace). Keep your addresses private and only give your phone number (cell or home) to your friends. Never give out your social security number and only give your credit card information when shopping on a secured site.
    • If you get an e-mail from a business or organization regarding your account, go to that business’ website and contact them through the site regarding the inquiry.
  • Beware of “Warning!” pop-ups. Some pop-up advertisements are designed to look like an official Windows dialog box and warn you that spyware is installed or that your computer “may be infected.” Windows will never warn you about spyware, only anti-virus and spyware software will, and it will be obvious that the alerts are from your anti-virus or anti-spyware program. Do not click these links!
  • Be cautious of sketchy sites. Certain types of websites leave you more vulnerable to random installations. Be wary of any “Click Here!” sites, sites offering free hacking tools or spyware scans, and pornography sites. Trust your gut when surfing the Internet.
  • Try alternatives to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. The ActiveX control leaves Internet Explorer vulnerable to “drive-by installations.” Using an alternative browser helps protect your computer by not allowing outside programs or spyware to be installed.

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