Keep Your PC Safe (Windows 7, Vista or XP)

1. Keep Your PC Safe(Windows 7, Vista or XP) Nora Lucke 02/05/2012 Documents - http://www.ucl.ac.uk/isd/common/resources/security/computer-security

2. 5 steps to Security for User-managed PCs • Use passwords to control access to your PC • Install Windows Updates (patches) to guard against network worms (programs that install themselves so they can do damage) • Install a virus checker and set it to scan your whole hard disk at least weekly • Use a personal firewall • Remove Spyware These are ESSENTIAL maintenance

3. Why do I need Passwords? • People who might use your computer when you are not there • Cleaner • Security Guard • Tradesmen (various) • Intruder inside the building • Intruder controlling your computer from outside • Colleague • Burglar Do you want to be blamed forwhat they do?

4. Windows computers NEED a password for the Local Administrator account • The Local Administrator account can be used to log on to the PC remotely to make changes, so a password is ESSENTIAL • The Administrator password must be known, and kept safe in an agreed place • If an IT person sets up your computer, they should keep a record of it. • Users can be an Administrator if necessary, but should not be the Administrator • Microsoft advice is to be a limited user, and only log in as an administrator to install programs

5. How do I do it? For User passwords • Use the Control Panel • Look for User Accounts • Choose a password you can remember • Make it a combination of letters and numbers (strong password) • If you must write it down, hide it • Don’t use it for other things

6. What are Windows updates, & why do I need them? • Hackers and criminals keep finding problems in Windows they can exploit, so Microsoft need to keep updating it. Check the System Tray. • Updates address known issues and help protect against known security threats which have been discovered since Windows was released. • Updates can be downloaded automatically, though some updates require you to accept an End User License Agreement (EULA), or restart your computer after installation. • NEVER be too busy to install them – you can continue to work while they are installed.

7. Microsoft Updates (XP) • Windows XP is now the oldest supported OS – (until April 2014). Please update older systems • Use the Microsoft Update Web site at http://update.microsoft.com. and follow the instructions there

8. Microsoft Updates (Windows 7 or Vista) • Use the Windows Updates Control Panel (may be in the Security Control Panel.) • After installing updates, click ‘Change Settings’

9. Windows Updates – Automatic? Your PC can be set up to do this ITSELF

10. Virus Checkers • If your computer comes with Norton or MacAfee, YOU have to PAY for the updates after some months • Use F-Secure or Sophos for which UCL already pays • download it from www.ucl.ac.uk/software • Use F-Secure at home too – it’s also for home use • REMOVE any other virus checker BEFORE installing a new one. (Control Panel - Programs & Features or Add/Remove Programs for XP) • Ensure the virus checker is running all the time • Set it to scan your hard disk at least WEEKLY • Use it to remove any viruses detected – and if you can’t, get help • DON’T automatically open attachments

11. Firewall • A Firewall will protect you from unauthorised access from the Internet, & infected computers around you • The latest version of F-Secure (free for UCL staff & students) includes a firewall (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/software) • It also includes a rootkit detector (rootkits help intruders maintain complete access your PC while avoiding detection.) • The F-Secure Firewall may ask you questions about what to allow – if in doubt, DENY • Set it to scan web traffic • Only use ONE firewall in Windows please • For broadband at home, you may have a firewall already, but F-Secure should sort things out for you.

12. What are Spyware and Adware? • Spyware is software that sends your personal information to a third party without your permission or knowledge (Web sites you visit, even sometimes user names and passwords) • Adware is software that displays advertisements on your computer. They can inexplicably pop up on your display screen, even if you're not browsing the Internet. • Some companies provide "free" software in exchange for advertising on your PC. It's how they make their money.

13. Do they matter? • Adware can cause performance issues • IE might not work properly • Your PC might hang and crash • Your PC might slow down • Spyware can be used by criminal gangs to • Steal your identity • Raid your Bank Accounts

14. What should I do about Spyware? • Use an anti-virus with Spyware protection (F-Secure) • DON’T download ‘free’ software from the Internet (Google for information, use http://www.tucows.com/ or http://majorgeeks.com/ for freeware or shareware) • DON’T thoughtlessly click on URLs in emails • NEVER reply with personal information or passwords • SCAN often for spyware & CHECK F-Secure • BE careful with IRC - ‘Messenger’ type programs. • If not using F-Secure, use Windows Defender (Ad-Aware or Spybot for Spyware on older computers) • Update to IE 9 if you don’t use FIS, or use Firefox etc. • Turn on pop-up blocker and Smart Screen Filter

15. Summary - Ensure your PC • Is password protected so you control who is using it • Has all Windows updates, so there are no holes that can be exploited • Has virus protection RUNNING (so you spot infected files) and scanning your disk REGULARLY • Has a personal firewall to protect it from other PCs around you • Is protected from Spyware, Ad-ware and pop-ups while you are web-surfing

16. Your PC is safe, now protect your data • 1) BACKUP – • Every hard disk has a mean time to fail • Electronic Failure • Physical Failure • Data retrieval is expensive – and may be impossible. • 2) ENCRYPT your sensitive data • 3) Keep your PC clean

17. Questions? Documents http://www.ucl.ac.uk/isd/common/resources/security/computer-security/