Computer SecurityComputer Security

By: MacKenzie OlsonBy: MacKenzie Olson

To be safer and more secure To be safer and more secure online, make these seven online, make these seven

practices part of your online practices part of your online routine. routine.

Practices for computer securityPractices for computer security

Protect your personal information. It’s valuProtect your personal information. It’s valuable.able.

Know who your dealing withKnow who your dealing with Use security software that updates automaUse security software that updates automa

ticallytically Keep your operating system and web browKeep your operating system and web brow

ser up-to-date, and learn about their securiser up-to-date, and learn about their security features.ty features.

Protect you passwordProtect you password Back up important filesBack up important files Learn what to do in an Learn what to do in an e-mergencye-mergency

Protect your personal Protect your personal informationinformation

It can provide access to your identity.It can provide access to your identity. ANYONE can be an identity theft.ANYONE can be an identity theft. Criminals lie about who they are.Criminals lie about who they are. Don’t reply or respondDon’t reply or respond Find out how your info is going to be Find out how your info is going to be

used before giving it out.used before giving it out. Read website privacy policies.Read website privacy policies.

Know who your dealing withKnow who your dealing with

Unfamiliar site – call the seller’s Unfamiliar site – call the seller’s phone numberphone number

Search the siteSearch the site Use a software toolbar that rates Use a software toolbar that rates

websiteswebsites When file sharing read End User When file sharing read End User

LicensingLicensing

Use security software that Use security software that updates automaticallyupdates automatically

Keep it active and currentKeep it active and current Scam artist distribute malware Scam artist distribute malware

disguised as anti-spyware softwaredisguised as anti-spyware software Anti-virus – protects your computer Anti-virus – protects your computer

from virusesfrom viruses Anti-spyware – monitors or controls Anti-spyware – monitors or controls

your computers useyour computers use Firewall – keeps hackers from using Firewall – keeps hackers from using

your computeryour computer

Recent

News!

Free anti-virus protection spurs Free anti-virus protection spurs robust optionsrobust options

Protect your PCProtect your PC Free protection is not enoughFree protection is not enough Free trials turn into paid subscriptionsFree trials turn into paid subscriptions Get an all in one suiteGet an all in one suite

Bryon Acohido, USA Today. “Free anti-virus protection Bryon Acohido, USA Today. “Free anti-virus protection spurs more robust options” [Online] Sep 21, 2010 spurs more robust options” [Online] Sep 21, 2010 http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurityhttp://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2010-09-22-antivirus22_CV_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip/2010-09-22-antivirus22_CV_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Keep you operating system Keep you operating system and web browser up-to-dateand web browser up-to-date

Hackers take advantage of web Hackers take advantage of web browsersbrowsers

Download and install security Download and install security patches automaticallypatches automatically

Disconnect your internet when not Disconnect your internet when not using your computerusing your computer

Protect your passwordProtect your password

Keep secureKeep secure Don’t share on internet, email, or phoneDon’t share on internet, email, or phone Make it tough to hackers to getMake it tough to hackers to get

• Use 8 characters, numbers, or symbolsUse 8 characters, numbers, or symbols• Longer the tougherLonger the tougher• Avoid common wordsAvoid common words• Don’t use personal infoDon’t use personal info• Change regularlyChange regularly• different password for each online accountdifferent password for each online account

Back up important filesBack up important files

No system is completely secureNo system is completely secure Remove important files to an Remove important files to an

external hard driveexternal hard drive Store in safe placeStore in safe place

Learn what to do in an e-Learn what to do in an e-mergencymergency

Suspect malware – stop putting Suspect malware – stop putting personal info onlinepersonal info online

Security software up-to-dateSecurity software up-to-date Call a professional to helpCall a professional to help Share the seven practices for safer Share the seven practices for safer

computingcomputing

If you follow those seven If you follow those seven steps, your computer will steps, your computer will be safer and more secure.be safer and more secure.

SourcesSources

OnGuard Online. 7 Practices for OnGuard Online. 7 Practices for Computer Security. [Online] Computer Security. [Online] http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/computer-security.aspxcomputer-security.aspx