OIT » Security » StartSafe

Did you know that a computer that is not properly configured may be compromised within minutes of being connected to the Internet?! Even worse, it is likely that a compromised system will be controlled by members of the criminal element within days. The following procedure will outline some steps that will reduce the risk of this occuring. These steps should be followed before connecting your computer to the Clarkson University computer network. If the Office of Information Technology has setup your computer for you, these steps have already been performed.

Enable a Firewall

You must enable a firewall to keep hackers and their programs (viruses, worms, etc.) away from your computer. This will allow you to connect to the Internet and install critical security updates. Afterwards, the firewall will help protect you against future software defects. You should not connect your computer to the Clarkson University network until you have completed this step!

The firewall in Windows Vista and Windows 7 is enabled by default.

To enable the firewall in Windows XP:

1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click Network and Internet Connections
4. Click the Network Connections icon
5. Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties
6. Click the Advanced Tab (if you don't have an Advanced Tab,right-click Local Area Connection again and select Remove From Bridge)
7. Check the box labeled "Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet"
8. Click OK
9. Restart the computer
10. Connect to the network

Download and Install Anti-Virus Software

Clarkson University requires that all student computers run an AntiVirus program. Faculty and staff should contact the Service Centerwith questions about anti-virus software.

Download and Install Windows Updates

Regularly applying operating system updates will fix the bugs in Windows that hackers use to invade our computers (and steal our identities, look at our bank accounts, etc.). To install these updates, use Internet Explorer to visit the Microsoft Windows Update website. You should repeatedly visit this website, until it tells you that there are no longer any critical updates that need to be installed. You may need to reboot your computer several times to complete this process.

Set a Strong Administrator Password

Windows computers let anyone who knows (or can guess) the Administrator password run and install software. This means that a computer with a weak password can have spyware and viruses installed on it without it's owners knowledge or consent. This happens quite often. To set the Administrator password, follow the following steps: Right-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop andselect Manage Double-click on Local Users and Groups Double-click on the Users folder Right-click on the Administrator icon and click once onSet Password Set a strong password. Do not forget this password. Click OK

Remove Spyware From Your Computer

If your computer is not brand-new, then it is likely that it has some form of spyware on it. Spyware is malicious software that collects your personal information and can cause your computer to operate poorly. There are several good spyware removal tools that are freely available on the internet:

• Spybot Search & Destroy
• Spyware Blaster
• Windows Defender