Risks REGIONAL IT COORDINATOR UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION FEBRUARY 2012

Transcription

1 Minimizing Technology-Related Risks NAN STENZEL NAN STENZEL REGIONAL IT COORDINATOR UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION FEBRUARY 2012

2 Current Computer Topics Buying a New Computer In-home Wireless Security Be Safe Online Protection Updates Cleaning Tools and Resources Backup your Files extension Social Networking

3 Buying a new computer? Many Choices Desktop Laptop Netbooks/Ultra Laptops Tablets Memory As much as you can afford!!!! 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

4 Netbook vs. Laptop vs. Tablets Issues to consider Keyboard size (lack of) Weight / Screen size May need online/ external storage What will you use it for? Word Processing? Internet? ? Electronic Books/Mags? Specific Applications? Tablets Wireless or Cellular connection required

5 In-Home Wireless Wireless Capability So you want to go wireless in your house? You still need to have access to the internet somehow. Then you add a wireless router. 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 password/passphrase to prevent others from picking up the signal without your knowledge. Also, make sure you change the name (SSID) of the network.

6 Security Be Safe Online Viruses, 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 drive. Hoaxes If you get an from a friend warning about a virus determine if it is a hoax first before sending it on. Check it out first on or Phishing An message that looks like it comes from a legitimate site/service that contains links that you are asked to click on. You are brought to a fraudulent website (that may look like the real one)

7 Misleading Applications/Spyware Many "free" programs downloaded from the web install software that tracks your behavior and displays unwanted advertisements. Examples: Free Screensavers, Web Search Toolbars Latest Attacks Antivirus 2011/2012, Spyware Protect 2011/2012 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.

8 Ways to be Safe Don t click on any links in messages. Retype the link in your browser. Save any attachments to your desktop first before opening them. Keep your software up-to-date Type the web address directly into the browser Look for and/or lock on status bar if you re purchasing online 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 the browser. Don t click on any buttons or even the X in the upper corner Use Task Manager to close pop-up p p windows (press Ctrl+Alt+Del)

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13 Protection & Updating Often malware takes advantage of users not having up-to-date internet-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 Available in your Start Menu as well Anti - Virus Program - Don t let your subscription expire Microsoft Security Essentials Free Anti-Virus com/security

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15 Protection and Updating - continued Adobe Downloads Acrobat Reader X, FlashPlayer, Shockwave QuickTime JAVA Click on the Do I Have Java? link and verify version Uninstall all OLD versions of Java / JRE using Add/Remove Programs Install Web of Trust - Install separate versions for Firefox and Internet Explorer

16 Web of Trust Example

17 Cleaning Resources and Tools Free software to clean: You may need to download these from a clean computer Needs to be installed and updated before scanning Does not need to be installed or updated but you need to download a new version every time you run Hitman Pro day Trial can be used one time or purchased There are other cleaning tools available online for specific malware problems.

18 Backup your files Options Buy External Hard Drive Online Backup Services DropBox / Google Docs Things to backup My Documents Quicken / Quickbooks files Files Favorites / Bookmarks Music / Pictures Disaster-Proof Your Data with Online Backup August, 2011

19 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, , picture/video sharing, blogging, etc. Most Common Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn Benefits Keeping in touch with distant friends & family Reconnecting with people Meeting new people with similar interests Easy way to share pictures and updates Professional Networking Connecting with your community and interests

20 Social Networking cont. Some Issues Particularly for younger users Sexual predators and Cyber bullies 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

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23 Questions???