NEVER give your social security number, bank account numbers, passwords, password hints, user ids, user accounts to an unsolicited email (or phone call). You college may send you a password to an email account but they will never ask for one. An email may pose as being from System Administrator or say Urgent but just call call your help desk center instead.
Visiting Web Sites, sending Email, and accessing content management systems such as Blackboard or Moodle are essential and useful resources for students and all need being on the internet. We should all now know there are potential pitfalls, scams, tricks, phishing attempts, programs, and other distractions that bad people attempt to spread everyday in order to attempt to steal identities, credit card numbers, victim addresses, shopping habits, manipulate your shopping choices, or just make your life miserable.
You could be become a victim in an instant by going to an unsafe web page (like can happen when entering the wrong typo in the URL field), clicking on innocent-looking links (like some Facebook links), downloading programs, music and video files, opening sneaky email attachments, or in rare cases, just by being on the Internet.
Your computer may be infected with spyware, a virus, or other malware if it slows to a crawl. Other symptoms, include: a) The home page in your web brower changes, b) Windows or McAfee update fails, c) A credible anti-virus program reports an infection, d) Unauthorized charges appear on your (or your family’s) credit card statement, e) You are receiving excessive pop-ups, or f) You or your colleagues and folks in your contacts are receiving excessive spam, etc.
Following some safe computing guidelines will help you avoid most of the aforementioned traps.
- What is malware?
- Internet settings, pop-up blockers, phishing protection
- Tips to outsmart the bad guys
- Lowering infection risks
- Knowing when you are infected
- What to do if infected: Call your help desk support
WHAT IS MALWARE?
Malware includes an array of nasty, parasitic, aggravating, or dormant software which exists in varying degrees on almost every computer. Malware (MALicious softWARE) finds its way onto your computer via email, visiting web pages, or arrive from portable media, like flash drives. Malware is distinguished from defective software – which has the typical unintended bugs – in that malware authors have bad intentions. Organized criminals may want to steal your personal information or disrupt an institution’s operation. Symantec (2008)states that “the release rate of malicious code and other unwanted programs may be exceeding that of legitimate software applications.” Includes: Weatherbug, AOL instant messenger, GAIN, MagicJack. Freeware versions may have the spyware; paid versions may leave out. Read EULA. May destroy data, debilitate local & network speed. Malware could lead to spam sent to yourself, your colleagues, turning computer into a zombie or part of a “botnet.”
“Computer viruses“ replicate , unlike other malware. Rogue code comes from Internet, LAN, portable media such as a USB drives, CD, DVD, or SDMicro chips (from cameras and cellphones). Viruses take advantage of network services such as the World Wide Web, e-mail, Instant Messaging, and file sharing systems (Limewire, BearShare, Kazaa, Morpheus, Grokster) to spread. A worm locates un-updated IT systems to migrate to and from without portable media or host. A Trojan horse appears harmless to OS; has ulterior agenda. New ones can be missed or unsolved by security software for a few weeks.
Spyware defined: Computer code that is loaded on computers to collect information, like browsing habits. Can also interfere with computer response, changing browser behavior. Can change settings, resulting in sluggishness, home page manipulation, and loss of Internet, Windows update, AV updates, & MS Office. Spyware can be called “privacy-invasive software.” “Cookies” can be a legitimate form of spyware and are installed as part of many legitimate software installations, like digital camera drivers, etc. It is challenging for anti-spyware to distinguish between legitimate and non-legitimate spyware and they do not always agree with each other.
HOW SOFTWARE TRIES TO PROTECT YOU
Following some safe computing guidelines will help you avoid most of the aforementioned traps.
McAfee or another antivirus brand that can be purchased or downloaded from you colleges website
Set your virus software to update with the latest ant-virus definitions daily.
McAfee Anti-Virus taskbar icon
Windows Updates
Most Computers are set to automatically update the Windows operating system, MS Office products, and Internet Explorer. These Microsoft updates fix bugs, errors, device drivers, and patch security holes. Typically, new updates are available and installed automatically around the second Tuesday of every month. Generally, you will be prompted to re-boot the computer after the updates have been installed. Sometimes, during these updates, your computer may slow down. You may notice these slow-downs during boot-up on occasion.
Figure 2: Windows Updates
Windows Defender
You can download Windows Defender for free at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d Your computer should be set to update with the latest ant-malware definitions daily.
Windows Defender
WINDOWS LOCKING SCREENSAVER
Computers may be instantly password protected from nearby eyeballs. The Windows password you desire must already be set under User Accounts.
Figure 4: Windows Locking Screensaver
Mcafee site advisor
Internet Explorer and Firefox flag which web sites are safe and which are unsafe. Look the icon on the right of your Google and other searches. Optional highlighting and filtering bad sites makes sure you only visit tested-as-safe sites.
Internet settings, pop-up blockers, phishing protection
POP-UP BLOCKERS
Internet Explorer pop-up exceptions control
Figure 6: Firefox pop-up exceptions control
PHISHING SCAMS
Firefox pop-up exceptions control
Be wary of Phishing Scams. Asking for bank account information or various passwords. Technology Services will never ask for your password. Microsoft has provided some warning sample phrases to look for in phishing scams:
- “Verify your account.“
- “If you don’t respond within 48 hours, your account will be closed.“
- “You have won the lottery.“
- “Click the link below to gain access to your account.
NEVER give your social security number, bank account numbers, passwords, password hints, user ids, user accounts to an unsolicited email (or phone call). Your college may send you a password to a college email account but it will never ask for one. An email may pose as being from System Adminstrator or say Urgent but just call you help desk support instead.
CLOSING SUSPICIOUS DIALOG BOXES AND POP-UPS
- Those that do not offer “X” on upper right
- Can use Alt+F4 to close the front dialog, sometimes.
- ALT+TAB may help to cycle to active dialog box.
- Can use CTRL+ALT+DEL and close the active process if you recognize it.
LOWERING INFECTION RISKS
Update Windows, Internet Explorer, and Firefox, and set your browser security high enough to detect unauthorized downloads. Keep using McAfee and Defender anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly. Download free software only from sites you know and trust. Do not open email attachments until you think about it. Don’t click on links inside pop-ups, especially links in spam or pop-ups that claim to offer anti-spyware software; you may unintentionally be installing spyware. No free security scan offers! Pay attention to McAfee Site Advisor flags sites safe for visiting Google, Yahoo, or Microsoft search results.
Running periodic manual scans of McAfee, Defender, etc. may find and eliminate infections.
KNOWING WHEN YOU ARE INFECTED
- An infection is reported by installed AV program (i.e., McAfee or Defender)
- Computer slows down, excessive spam, pop-ups, virus warnings.
- web browser’s default home page has changed somehow
- cannot navigate away from a certain website
- Windows updates cannot complete
- problems re-bootin, like Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
- excessive spam for you or your colleagues
WHAT TO DO IF INFECTED
Disconnect from Internet: Unplug network cable or “turn-off” wireless on laptops using slider switch on front left or Fn+F5 (it depends on the type of computer you have). Only shut down your computer if instructed by your Help Desk support .
