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Home > Services > Security & Safe Computing > Safe Computing

Safe Computing

10 Easy Ways to Keep Your Computer and Personal Information Secure:

Protect your computer

1. Update Your Operating System: As operating system flaws are discovered, vendors release patches to cover security holes—install these patches regularly to stay secure!
2. Use Your Computer's Firewall: Make sure that your computer's firewall is turned on.
3. Install and Update Antivirus Software: Download the latest antivirus software and make sure its autoupdate feature is turned on to ensure continued protection.

Protect your identity and personal information:

1. Email Safely: Identify fraudulent emails and immediately delete them. Only open expected attachments from people you know.
2. 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.
3. Protect Your Passwords: Use good password practices to keep your information safe.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Data Security - Learn about what you can do to keep sensitive data safe.
7. 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.

In case of trouble: How to get help

• Computer Compromises: What to do if you believe your computer has been compromised.
• Network Harassment and Abuse: Report network harassment or abuse.
• CNetID Account Recovery: What to do if you need to recover your CNetID account.
• cMail Remediation: How to restore your cMail settings if your CNetID account has been compromised.

Compute Safely While Traveling

See our travel tip sheet for information on computer and connection security during both domestic and international travel. The tip sheet provides tips on accessing University resources, checking email, securing your wireless connection if you are using a laptop, and precautions you should take when using public computers.

Stay informed

• Read and follow information technology policies: Read NSIT's Information Technology Policies and related guidelines.
• Subscribe to NSIT Announcements: Get the latest technology news on campus.
• Tip Sheets: Find solutions to common problems
• See our security campaigns: NSIT has produced a number of posters promoting aspects of safer computing.

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