Keeping your computer clean and secure helps your computer run smoother and also prevents your system from being compromised. Several steps should be taken to ensure your computer remains efficient and secure.
Anti-Virus Software
Students are provided with Symantec Endpoint Protection. This program should update itself regularly, but students should manually check from time to time in order to confirm its virus definitions are current. The Symantec icon should be found in the system tray in the bottom right-hand corner or at the top middle to right side of the screen on Macs.
Password Management
Users should remember to use a unique and complex password. Symbols, numbers, and lowercase and uppercase letters can be used. Users should avoid using names of everyday things when creating a password.
Internet and Email Browsing
The internet is littered with harmful viruses and malware. Viruses and malware embedded within WebPages and emails hide and wait for users to download or run them. When browsing the internet, users should only browse reputable websites. Putting personal information into emails and other forms on the internet could potentially lead to identity theft.
File Sharing
Using p2p software such as Kazaa or Limewire is highly discouraged. Viruses and malware are easily and often transmitted over these connections. Often times the files being downloaded by these programs have copyright protection and the users run the risk of copyright infringement.
Backup Work
Hard drives on computers may crash at any time. It is important that users periodically copy important files onto an external data source (i.e. flash-drive). If copies of files have not been created before the hard drive crashes, the files may be lost forever.