Best Practices and Security Alerts

The following tips can be used to protect your computer system, and may help you from being quarantined while using Resnet. Be aware that in any case, your computer must meet the minimum security requirements. Failure to do so will result in your internet connection being disabled.

Security Updates

Security Updates fix vulnerabilities in operating systems that present security hazards to your computer system and to other network users. All modern operating systems have a method of providing security updates automatically through the internet. Be sure to configure your computer to automatically update on a regular basis (ResNet suggests checking for updates weekly).

FREE Student Anti Virus Software

Current students are entitled to 1 free copy of the Sophos AntiVirus software. Logon to the Wildcat Connection and click on the "Sophos Antivirus" link to download the package. Be sure to uninstall your previous anti-virus software prior to installing Sophos. You must be online during the setup process to successfully install this program.

Anti-virus and Definition Files

We strongly encourage you to install anti-virus software, and keep it updated. Definition files can be set to update automatically or manually. You will need to update them once a week in order to keep your anti-virus protection effective. Anti-virus software is a great way to protect your computer system.

We recommend Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, and Microsoft Security Essentials.

If you desire a free anti-virus product, we recommend using Avast. AVG and Bitdefender also offer a feature-limited free version.

Remember: If your computer is spreading viruses, your internet access will be disabled.

E-mail

E-mail is a source through which most viruses spread. A few simple precautions can help to protect your computer system from viruses:

• Use your GroupWise Mail as it is free and secure. ResNet and all other campus departments send mail to ResNet users via GroupWise.
• Avoid using Microsoft Outlook, as it has proven itself to be a major security risk on Windows-based machines.
  • If you must use Outlook, disable the 'preview pane', as this will prevent many malicious files from running automatically.
• Utilize an Internet email account that provides free virus scanning (most major providers such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft do this already).
• Never open emails containing attachments from people you do not know and trust. Do not open emails containing attachments unless you were expecting to recieve a file.
• Never respond to unsolicited mail.

Attachments

E-mail with file attachments is the most common method of virus infection, so it is especially important to be careful when opening these messages. A user does not even have to open the attachment itself in order to become infected, especially if they are using a mail client with known security holes, such as Microsoft Outlook.

When an icon indicating an attachment is next to a message, take the following precations:

• Look at the address of the sender. If this person is not a friend, family member, or someone with whom a business relationship does not already exist, delete the message. Alternatively, a message could be sent to the individual asking who they are and what the attachment is.
• If an attachment was not expected, contact the sender before opening the message to confirm that they sent it to you.
  Some viruses can use other's email accounts to send messages and a copy of the virus without the account owner's knowledge or consent.
• If unsure about what the attachment is, do not open it.
• Do not open attachments that are executable. These include files with the extentions:
  • .exe
  • .com
  • .vbs
  • .scr
  • .pif
  If unsure of the file type, use a resource such as google to search the name of the extension before opening it.

Firewalls

A firewall is a device which creates a barrier to network traffic, separating a network into a trusted zone and an untrusted zone. A firewall is designed to allow traffic from the untrusted zone to enter the trusted zone only in certain circumstances. This protects computers in the trusted zone from:

• Hackers
• Worms (Viruses)
• Users with malicious intent

Most modern operating systems include a built-in firewall. In order to work properly on ResNet, the firewall on your computer must be set to medium or low strength.

Passwords

Passwords are the most important links in the chain of computer defense. Unfortunately, the importance of a strong password is often underestimated by users. We recognize that nobody wants to memorize a completely random set of letters and numbers. These guidelines will help you select a password that achieves a balance of security and ease-of-use.

Spyware

Spyware is software that is installed surreptitiously onto a computer. 'Spyware' is a general term, and is not limited to software which performs espionage. Spyware can be installed through security holes in a system, through websites, or even by piggybacking with legitimate software. Spyware is without question the largest security threat on ResNet.