How to keep your computer save?
- Get informed!
Visit the website www.cybersafeyourself.nl and find tips and information on cyber safety.
Follow this comprehensive online tutorial about cyber safety openlearn.open.ac.uk
Subscribe yourself to a security alert service like one offered by www.techworld.com. - Stay up to date!
Install all critical updates on your own computer so that security problems are kept to a minimum.
Install patches and service packs for your operating system and all applications.
Update regularely the drivers and firmware of your notebook or desktop. - Protect yourself!
Install an Antivirus programme and keep it up to date. ISS offers Mcafee Antivirus software free of charge. Download it from Eznet.
Scan on virusses regularely, at least once a week. Scan your whole computer and all external drives and USB sticks.
Check if you have a Conficker infection on your laptop by this simple tool: Conficker Eye Chart. - Keep a secret!
Keep passwords to yourself; do not reveal the pin code for printing to others.
Change your password or pin code from time to time. Don't use simple passwords. - Be Safe!
Never give out your bank details or passwords to online bank accounts when asked by email. Only deal with trusted websites. Consider using a ‘site advisor’ in your browser, e.g. Finjan. - Make backups!
Reserve time on a regular basis and make copies of important files. Do not risk loosing valuable work. Record these files on a CD or make a safe copy on an USB drive. - Don’t invite spam!
Before you give out your email address, consider if this will generate a stream of unwanted email when you register on a web site. Consider using a ‘dummy’ email address [a free gmail or hotmail account created for this purpose] to keep unwanted emails away from your regular mailbox.
WiFi security
A free WiFi connection [that does not use a key] seems attractive, but you should realize that everything you send to a WiFi Access Point can be read by others if it does not use encryption. Everything includes your user name, password and possibly credit card details of online purchases.
Always manually select the network you're logging into -- do not let the computer automatically select the strongest signal. Make sure that you know the SSID - the real signal name - of the WiFi Access Point you want to use. Check with the host or your colleagues when you visit a new organization.
Finally, as someone joked: "If you're at a Pizzahut, you want the network SSID called Pizzahut, and not the one called "Free Public WiFi" or some similar fly trap..... where a WiFi-hacker is waiting for your password.
Scams to be aware of.......
There are several scams to be aware of on the internet. I list a few here in broad terms.
- Advance fee
I'll send you a commission on millions, but give me 200 $ first! Also known as a 419 or a Nigerian connection. See also: Chippla's blogspot on 419 - Phishing
There's something with your credit card of bank account, can you give me your PIN code or password? - Frontman
We are offering a job. It is like an accountant. You cash our bills in your own bank account and w'll give you a percentage/salary - Payment
"All you will be doing for us is to receive our payment on our behalf from our client..." Send your personal and bank details..... - I need your Help!
I am ill and dying. I want to spend the rest of my money to good causes. I am looking for someone trustworthy to do that for me - send your bank details. - I am Poor
Help: A terrible accident happened to me. Send me money. I need to be operated. - The Lottery
You have won a large amount of money! Send us the clearance fee and we will give you your winnings.... Read more on lottery scams at: Fraudaid.com - Lottery
In all cases you do not know the sender of the email. Often the language is semi-official or even pompous. Very often spelling errors are evident. Subject headers are often in capital letters. You are requested to provide personal and/or bank details and the message sounds to good to be true.
Our advice: Do not give emails like this another thought.
