Article

Securing Your Computer 
By Gina Berry, Director of MIS
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Firewall
Purchase Network Address Translator firewall device; it's likely to be good enough in default mode. On your laptop, use personal firewall software. There's no reason to allow any incoming connections from anybody.
Encryption
Install an e-mail and file encryptor (like PGP). Encrypt e-mails that you consider sensitive to send in the clear. Similarly, some files on your hard drive are also sensitive to leave unencrypted.
Operating systems
If you use Windows set up Automatic Update so that you automatically receive security patches.
Web sites
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption does not provide any assurance that the vendor is trustworthy or that its database of customer information is secure.
Think before you do business with a Web site. Limit the financial and personal data you send to Web sites--don't give out information unless you see a value to you. If you don't want to give out personal information, lie. Opt out of marketing notices. If the Web site gives you the option of not storing your information for later use, take it. Use a credit card for online purchases, not a debit card.
Passwords
Guard your passwords as you would your cash: i.e., store them in your wallet, etc. Never reuse a password for something you care about. Never type a password you care about, such as for a bank account, into a non-SSL encrypted page. If your bank makes it possible to do that, complain to them.
E-mail
Turn off HTML e-mail. Don't automatically assume that any e-mail is from the "From" address.
Delete Spam without reading it. Don't open messages with file attachments, unless you know what they contain; immediately delete them. Don't open cartoons, videos and similar "good for a laugh" files forwarded by your well-meaning friends; again, immediately delete them.
Never click links in e-mail unless you're sure about the e-mail; copy and paste the link into your browser instead.  If you use Microsoft Office, enable macro virus protection; in Office 2000, turn the security level to "high" and don't trust any received files unless you have to.

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