Today’s article deals with the mechanics of safe e-mailing, surfing, etc. It’s a “vicious” environment out there and we all must remain vigilant!
Safe E-mailing – When it comes to email, your mother was right!
Never open any e-mail from strangers or with an unexpected attachment.
Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information. Call the company or log into its website directly by typing the address in your browser. Never use the links you get in the e-mail.
Be safe – don’t link and don’t unsubscribe to spam. You are only acknowledging that they have a valid email address.
Safe Surfing habits (No surfboard necessary!)
Be very careful of what you download – who knows where it’s been? And, nothing is really free! Spyware is often included with freeware and shareware. Research before you download an application. A simple Google search should be enough to alert you to any problems people have reported with the software.
Read all dialogue boxes carefully and close out anything that looks suspicious. When you close a dialogue box or pop-up advertisements, be sure to use the proper “X” to close the window.
Only surf known and reputable waters. This will help to prevent “Drive-by-installs” (downloading of a program through the browser upon a visit to a web page) and “Browser Hijacking” (Browser now has a new start page. Every time your browser loads a page that doesn’t exist, you end up at some strange site).
I scan, do you scan? Scan for spyware and trojans on a regular basis.
Keep up-to-date with security patches.
Secure Computing
If you keep up with the latest security patches and service pack, you will patch the vulnerabilities in the operating system that hackers exploit to access your system. MCC automatically updates Microsoft patches on your work PC but you will still need to update these patches on your home PC by going to "https://www.windowsUpdate.com" www.windowsUpdate.com and checking for the latest updates for your operating system.
Safe Home Computing
Personal firewalls are also a good way to stop malicious computers (Yes, computers can be malicious!) and programs on the Internet from contacting your system. Microsoft included a firewall it calls the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP. When enabled, it prevents would-be hackers from scanning your computer's ports and resources.
Stay tuned for our next article on our fight against spam! In the meantime, try the ideas above and you, too, can become a Spambuster! No initiation required!
Communications and Network Services
Educational Technology Services
03/21/2005 |