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Ways to Prevent and Avoid Infections |
- Make sure you update your OS (Windows) and all your programs. The number one method of infection is through exploits that can be fixed by updates and patches. You can update microsoft windows here. Some examples of software you need to check for patches are: Microsoft Office, adobe products, java, and antispyware tools.
- Make sure your Antivirus definitions files are up to date (no more then 3-5 days old).
If you are running the symantec client here at USA on campus then your definitions files should not be more then
3 days old. You can find instructions on checking your definitions file date here.
- Don't trust any E-mail attachments from people you don't know! Don't open them. Don't read them. Just delete them!
- Don't trust any E-mail attachments from people you do know. Please don't think anything sent with a "@USOUTHAL.EDU" or a "@JAGUAR1.USOUTHAL.EDU" is any safer then E-mail coming from the outside.
It also doesn't matter if you know the person in real life and they sit in the office next door. Unless you have verbal verification you were getting a file attachment from them. You should delete the E-mail!
- Avoid bogus file downloads.
Be wary of any Web site that requires you to download software to view a page,
unless it's something familiar like a Flash plug-in or Acrobat Reader. The file may contain a virus,
a Trojan horse, or some auto-dialer that calls pay-per-minute numbers via your modem and racks up huge charges.
"Do not install software via the Web unless you are absolutely sure what it is and that you trust the company you
are downloading it from," warns @Stake's Wysopal.
- Don't take the Phishing bait. Phishing is the practice of sending out fake emails, or spam, written to appear as if they have been sent by banks or other
reputable organizations, with the intent of luring the recipient into revealing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords,
account IDs, ATM PINs or credit card details. Typically, phishing attacks will direct the recipient to a web page designed to mimic
a target organization's own visual identity and to harvest the user's personal information, often leaving the victim unaware of the
attack. Obtaining this type of personal data is attractive to blackhats because it allows an attacker to impersonate their victims
and make fraudulent financial transactions. Victims often suffer significant financial losses or have their entire identity stolen,
usually for criminal purposes.
- Make backups and keep them safe. Simply put: Back up your data files at least weekly (daily if you're running a business). Even if you fall victim to a virus or
hacker attack, you'll escape with only minor damage.
Do Not Keep Backups on Floppy Disks! They were designed for transporting files from one place to another but never long time storage.
Backups should be done on CD's, Servers, flash drives, or other stable storage.
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Use a firewall. A firewall is like a bouncer for your computer--it checks every ID at the door and won't let anything in or out until you give the
thumbs up. So a hacker can't access personal information on your hard drive, and a Trojan horse keystroke logger (a stealth program
that monitors the characters you type) can't steal your passwords and transmit them over the Net.
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| Webmaster: Patrick |
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