Cyber-Security: Computer and Online Safety Tips

One does not have to be a government or multinational corporation to be concerned about cyber security. Internet fraud, identity theft, and scams are all real threats that can compromise your data, your assets, and your career.  Here are some tips for safer surfing and more secure computing: 

Be Prepared

• Have good antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-malware and firewall software installed on your computer and update daily. 

• Do full scans regularly, at least weekly.

• Keep your operating system, web browser, office software and other software updated with the latest security patches.

• Scan thumb drives, disks, downloads and files for viruses before loading onto your computer.

• Keep your computer backed up and copies in a Safe Offsite Location (SOL).

• Know what to do in an "e-mergency."

  • If you suspect a cyber attack or an infection physically disconnect your computer from the internet/turn off your wireless adapter immediately. Malware could be sending your information to thieves.

  • If you suspect your passwords have been stolen use another computer to change them immediately and contact your bank, credit cards and other accounts to notify them of a problem.

  • Run full virus, malware, and spyware scans on your computer.

  • If you are unable to resolve problems yourself, seek professional help.

  • Try to determine how your computer was infected or compromised so you can avoid similar problems in the future.

Be Wary

• Do not open suspicious emails and attachments, even if they come from a reliable source.

• Do not load unknown programs onto your computer. Programs may contain spyware or malware that can compromise your security.

• Do not shop online with companies you do not know, and do not use a credit card on an unencrypted connection.

• Watch out for phishing attacks - many use emails that appear to be coming from reputable companies. Phishers will try to trick you into giving them your social security number, credit card number, password, or other personal data. Often phishing emails contain links to fraudulent web sites that look exactly like the real sites to trick you into entering your personal information.

• To protect your customers, scan the web for others who may be using your logo or claiming to sell your products.

• Be wary of offers that are too good to be true, they almost always are.

• Malware Masquerading as a Windows Component

  Watch out for pop-up windows that mimic those from your computer programs or operating system that you have not seen before or that tell you that there is something wrong with your computer that can be fixed by downloading software or paying a fee. Do not click anything on a window like this, even to close it. Exit your browser and/or shut down your computer and reboot. Run a malware program immediately and remove any programs it finds.

Be Secure

• Use long and strong passwords with a combination of random characters, and use different usernames and passwords for each account. Here are some suggestions from Microsoft on how to create strong passwords and a password checker to test the security of your passwords.

  • Do not use passwords that contain dates, sequences of numbers, or words that someone may be able to guess or discover. Computer programs are available that will generate random passwords for you.

  • Do not allow your computer to "remember" your important passwords. These can be easily discovered by someone knowledgeable about computers.

  • Store your passwords in a safe place away from your computer. There are computer programs and services that will encrypt and store all your passwords under one master password. This may be a viable way for you to handle passwords, but choose the program or service carefully.

• Take measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data in your office.

  • If more than one person is using a computer consider setting up multiple user accounts and passwords.

  • Password protect sensitive files and folders.

  • Set up company policies for computer use to protect customer information and protect your computers and data.

• Dispose of old computers safely. Your old computer probably contains much personal or sensitive business information that could be retrieved, even if the drive has been erased.

  Use software to wipe the drive clean by writing over it multiple times, or remove the hard drive and physically destroy it.