Client Support, Infrastructure and Standards

Securing Your Computer

There are several ways to improve the security of a computer:

Do critical updates for the computer. For a Windows this can be easily done, doing the following steps:
1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click on Tools icon in the tool bar
3. Click on Windows Update
4. Click on Scan for updates
5. Install the critical updates
Setup Windows XP to download critical updates
1. Click on START in the bottom tool bar
2. Click on Control Panel
3. Double click on System Icon
4. Click on Automatic Updates and choose the best preference for your machine.

F-secure:
F-secure can be downloaded on UGA machines by going to: http://www.uga.edu/sitesoft

Know what version of operating system that is on the machine, i.e. Windows 98, 2000, XP, and linux. F-secure does not work on Macintosh computers (see Norton Antivirus).
Make sure no other antivirus program is running on the machine.
Make sure no viruses are on the machine before installing F-secure. Run F-secure rescue disk system to check for viruses. This also can be downloaded from the above mentioned website.

Norton Antivirus:
Norton antivirus program can be purchased from MSD by going to: http://www.msd.uga.edu/msd_contacts.html

Know what version of operating system that is on the machine, i.e. Windows 98, 2000, XP, or Mac OS X.
Make sure no other antivirus program is running on the machine.
Make sure no viruses are on the machine before installing Norton. Run Norton antivirus from the CD to check for viruses. A scan of your computer for viruses can be run from Symantec website: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/

Here are the most important ways to protect a computer from viruses:

DO NOT OPEN EMAIL ATTACHMENTS!!! This cannot be stressed enough. It is the number one, easiest way to get a virus. When you get an email, if the computer asks if you want to open the file you received, say NO! This is especially true when receiving emails from people you know. If you get an attachment, you can save it to your hard drive and scan it with your antivirus program. Make sure your antivirus program is updated, too. Some files like those ending with GIF or JPG are fine, but ones ending in EXE, COM, BAT or SCR are programs. Play it safe. Do not open file attachments.

BACKUP YOUR FILES. This is the number one way to be sure you do not lose important information. You do need to backup the data, like your contact list and other personal information. If you prefer to backup the entire hard drive, you can, but it will take more space. A program like Windows backup or Norton Ghost will do the trick.

RUN AN ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM AND KEEP IT UPDATED. It is very important to not only run antivirus software, but you must update it religiously. A 2002 antivirus program that has not been updated this year will not protect you against the latest viruses. Programs like F-secure or Norton Antivirus provide excellent protection and free updates for at least a year, depending on license agreement.

SCAN ALL NEW FILES FOR VIRUSES. If you get files from anywhere, scan them with your antivirus program before running them. Both the Internet and people can pass along a virus. Most people do not intend to pass viruses to others, but not everyone knows they have a virus. Again, take no chances. Check any file or program you get before you run it.