Learn Smart Computing Practices
NSIT’s Safe Computing website offers quick and easy tips for protecting your computer and personal information. The information contained in this website can help you prevent digital disaster. Visit the site to learn about the possible pitfalls of social networking, why you should update your operating system, and the safest way to save and transfer files. Should a computer or security issue arise, the Safe Computing site also provides advice on how to work through and respond to a variety of situations.
Start learning smart computing practices now with our 10 Easy Ways to Keep Your Computer and Personal Information Secure:
- Update Your Operating System: As operating system flaws are discovered, vendors release patches to cover security holes—install these patches regularly to stay secure!
- Use Your Computer's Firewall: Make sure that your computer's firewall is turned on.
- Install and Update Antivirus Software: Download the latest antivirus software and make sure its autoupdate feature is turned on to ensure continued protection.
- Email Safely: Identify fraudulent emails and immediately delete them. Only open expected attachments from people you know.
- Safeguard Your Personal Information: Don't send or post your Social Security Number, bank account number, passwords, or any other private information on the web.
- Protect Your Passwords: Use good password practices to keep your information safe.
- Remember to Log Out of Web Applications: If you're using a public machine, remember to explicitly log out and quit the browser before you walk away.
- Be careful When Using Wireless Networks: Never use an insecure wireless internet connection (e.g., internet cafe or random connection you pick up) when banking, buying or sending private information over the web.
- Data Security - Learn about what you can do to keep sensitive data safe.
- Think before you share: Do not share copyrighted material. Read NSIT's File Sharing policy and find out how to disable file sharing on the most common peer-to-peer clients. Find out more about copyright issues from the Copyright Information Center.
To learn more, visit NSIT’s computer safety and security advice center at http://safecomputing.uchicago.edu.
Last updated: 10/22/09