Security and Advice

Passwords

Your account password is the first line of defense in protecting you and your data from intruders. It is important that you select a strong password. Click here to learn more about selecting a good password.

Protecting Your Computer

Each computer on the CUA network should

• be running up-to-date antivirus software,
• be configured to download and install operating system updates automatically and,
• if available in the operating system, have a software firewall enabled.

Campus computers installed and administered by CPIT for faculty and staff are configured this way by default. If you are a student who administers your own computer, make sure your computer is configured to do the same. Please read "Safe Computing Practices" for these and other important computer security practices.

Protecting Sensitive Data

The safest place to work on sensitive data is on your CUA staff or faculty computer, while on campus. The safest way to work on administrative data is through the administrative system interface, not by downloading it into a file or another program.

If you do need to work on sensitive data that is stored on your local hard drive or removeable media, be sure that it is always encrypted.

Reading E-Mail Safely

Viruses and other malware are often delivered via e-mail messages. There are several steps you can take to reduce the chances of your computer being affected by these bad messages.

• Do not open unexpected e-mail attachments. Many viruses and malware are delivered as e-mail attachments. Unless the sender communicated to you in advance that he or she was sending you an attachment, do not open it. Instead, send e-mail to that person asking whether they really sent you an attachment. Or, just delete the entire message. Remember, malicious e-mail can appear to be from someone that you know.
  
  
• Filter suspected spam messages. These messages are more likely than others to contain malware. You can create a Rule in Microsoft Outlook to filter spam messages into the Deleted Items folder. You also can adjust your settings on the antispam appliance to control the level of filtering applied to messages addressed to you.
  
  
• Close the preview pane for each of your folders. This is particularly important to do for your Inbox, Deleted Items and Junk E-Mail folders. To do this in Microsoft Outlook 2003, view the folder in question and then select View, Reading Pane, Off. Other e-mail programs have a similar command. Doing this prevents e-mail messages that have invisible malware embedded from infecting your system just by your visiting the folder.
  
  
• Force messages to be viewed in plain text. Some malware is delivered in the HTML code of rich text messages. By initially viewing messages in plain text, you can verify that the message is from a trusted source before viewing it as HTML. Outlook 2003 provides a convenient bar for switching to the HTML view from the plain text view. To make this setting in Outlook 2003, select Tools, Options. On the Preferences tab, click E-Mail Options. In the E-Mail Options window, check the box next to "Read all standard mail in plain text." Click OK to both windows to close them.

Avoiding Spyware

Spyware is software that generates advertisement pop-ups, collects information, tracks your web browsing or changes your computer configuration, usually without your knowledge. It is very important to keep your computer free of spyware. Following these steps can help.

• Browse the web wisely. Visit only web sites of organizations and companies that you know and trust. Don't go to a web site just because someone says it is cool. Most spyware comes from visiting sites that contain malware. Often these are shopping sites.
  
  
• Download and install software wisely. Install only software that you have purchased from a legitimate company, or freeware that is adware-free (be sure to read the User Agreement thoroughly). It is almost always not safe to install software such as browser toolbars or shopping site software.
  
  
• Regularly scan your computer for spyware. Freeware program Spybot Search & Destroy can be used to scan your system for spyware that may already be installed and remove it.