Minimizing Technology Related Minimizing Technology-Related Risks

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U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A R Y L A N D E X T E N S I O NF E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

Current Computer Topics

Buying a New Computery g p In-home Wireless Security – Be Safe Onliney Protection – Updates Cleaning Tools and Resources

Backup your Files eXtension Social Networking

Buying a new computer?

Many Choices – Desktop Laptop Netbooks/Ultra Laptops Tablets

Memory – As much as you can afford!!!!

Hard Drive Permanent Storage Hard Drive – Permanent Storage 250gb, 320gb, 500gb, 1 tb

Screen Size Desktop – Widescreen (width vs. height) Laptop – 13in, 14in, 15in, 17in vs. Weight Tablets – 7” – 10”

Warranty/Repair – Where, How, and How Long

Netbook vs. Laptop vs. Tablets

Issues to considero o Keyboard size (lack of) Weight / Screen size May need online/ external

storage What will you use it for?y

Word Processing ? Internet? Email? Electronic Books/Mags? Electronic Books/Mags? Specific Applications?

Tablets Wireless or Cellular

connection required

In-Home Wireless

Wireless Capability – So you want to go wireless in your h ?house? You still need to have access to the internet somehow. Then you add a wireless router. y

DSL/Cable Modems may also be wireless already Each additional computer needs to have a wireless card/device Your wireless router should be set up with a secured Your wireless router should be set up with a secured

password/passphrase to prevent others from picking up the signal without your knowledge.

Also, make sure you change the name (SSID) of the network., y g ( )

Security – Be Safe Online

Viruses Worms and Trojan horsesViruses, Worms, and Trojan horses These are small programs that can infect computers and destroy

valuable information, forward viruses to everyone in your address book or even corrupt your hard drivebook, or even corrupt your hard drive.

Hoaxes If you get an email from a friend warning about a virus determine If you get an email from a friend warning about a virus… determine

if it is a hoax first before sending it on. Check it out first on http://vil.nai.com/vil/hoaxes.aspx or www.snopes.com

Phi hi Phishing An email message that looks like it comes from a legitimate

site/service that contains links that you are asked to click on. You yare brought to a fraudulent website (that may look like the real one)

Misleading Applications/Spyware

Many "free" programs downloaded from the web install f h k b h i d di l dsoftware that tracks your behavior and displays unwanted

advertisements. Examples: Free Screensavers, Web Search Toolbars

Latest Attacks Antivirus 2011/2012, Spyware Protect 2011/2012

F d l t S ft S $$ d I f t t Fraudulent Software – Scam $$ and Infect your computer Takes over your computer with false warnings, pop-ups, trying

to get you to buy software which doesn’t do anything.

Often comes from searching and clicking on suggested links that lead you to a malicious website or a site with malicious advertisements.malicious advertisements.

Ways to be Safe

Don’t click on any links in email messages. Retype the link in your browser.

Save any attachments to your desktop first before opening them. Keep your software up-to-date Keep your software up to date Type the web address directly into the browser Look for https:// and/or lock on status bar if you’re purchasing

onlineonline Legitimate companies will never send you an unsolicited request

for information they already have! Do not accept or open suspicious error dialog boxes from within Do not accept or open suspicious error dialog boxes from within

the browser. Don’t click on any buttons or even the X in the upper corner

Use Task Manager to close pop-up windows (press Ctrl+Alt+Del)g p p p (p )

Protection & Updating

Often malware takes advantage of users not having up-to-date i l d finternet-related software.

The best defense is to make sure you are using the latest version and all updates are installed

Use the Latest Browser Internet Explorer 8 or 9 (Win7)/ Firefox 10

Windows Security Updates Windows Security Updates http://www.update.microsoft.com Available in your Start Menu as well

Anti - Virus Program - Don’t let your subscription expire Microsoft Security Essentials – Free Anti-Virus

http://www microsoft com/security http://www.microsoft.com/security

Protection and Updating - continued

Adobe Downloads www.adobe.com/downloads Acrobat Reader X, FlashPlayer, Shockwave

QuickTime QuickTime http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

JAVA http://www java com http://www.java.com Click on the “Do I Have Java?” link and verify version Uninstall all OLD versions of Java / JRE using Add/Remove

PPrograms Install Web of Trust - http://www.mywot.com/ Install separate versions for Firefox and Internet Explorer

Web of Trust – Example

Cleaning Resources and Tools

Free software to clean: You may need to download these from a clean computer www.malwarebytes.org

Needs to be installed and updated before scanning Needs to be installed and updated before scanning www.superantispyware.com/portable

Does not need to be installed or updated but you need to download a new version every time you runa new version every time you run

http://www.surfright.nl/en/downloads Hitman Pro 3.5 30 day Trial – can be used one time or purchased

There are other cleaning tools available online for specific malware problems.p

Backup your files

OptionsB E l H d D i

Disaster-Proof Your Data with Online Backup http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2288745,00.aspAugust 2011

Buy External Hard Drive Online Backup Services DropBox / Google Docs

August, 2011

DropBox / Google Docs

Things to backup My Documents Quicken / Quickbooks

files Email Files Email Files Favorites / Bookmarks Music / Pictures

Social Networking

Online social networking services Networking with communities of people who share interests and activities. Provide various ways for users to interact

chat, messaging, email, picture/video sharing, blogging, etc.

Most Common – Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn Benefits Keeping in touch with distant friends & familyp g y Reconnecting with people Meeting new people with similar interests Easy way to share pictures and updates Easy way to share pictures and updates Professional Networking Connecting with your community and interests

Social Networking – cont.

Some Issues Particularly for younger users

Sexual predators and Cyber bullies

Online behavior – Online behavior

Posting inappropriate pictures or messages/illegal behavior

Identity Theft

Rules of Engagement Make sure your security/privacy settings are what you want them to be

Don’t post what you don’t want others to see & you can customize each post re: who can see it

Only let people be friends if you know them in person

Post as few identifying facts as possible

Questions???