Windows Security

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Windows Security

• Tech Talk
• 9/25/07

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What is a virus?

• A computer program designed to self replicate
  without permission from the end user
• The program can simply be annoying (displaying
  messages), or it can be damaging (deleting files)
• A Program written and distributed by a person

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How do you get a virus?

• Documents
• Macros
• Email attachments
• File sharing applications
• External disks (CDs, Flash Drives)

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What ITS is doing on campus

• Scans all email messages for viruses
• Protects servers against know vulnerabilities
• Operates firewalls and gateways to block virus
  activity
• Freeze public computers to prevent spreading
• Installs and configures Sophos Anti-virus on
  campus computers

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What is Spyware?

• A computer program designed to monitor your
  activity
• The program can collect information silently and
  then sell that information to advertisers
• The program can cause annoying pop up messages
  and/or redirect your web browser

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How do you get spyware?

• Pop up ads
• Attached to freeware or shareware
• Almost all file sharing applications come with
  spyware
• Disguised as security software or anti-spyware
  programs

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What ITS is doing on campus

• Filter email messages known to cause spyware
  (Postini)
• Freeze public computers to prevent spyware
• Installs and configures Webroot Spysweeper on
  campus computers

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What you can do at home

• Run Windows Update to download the latest
  security patches
• Schedule Windows Updates to install automatically
  to help you remember (control panel)
• Turn on your pop up blocker and phishing filter
  (IE7)

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What you can do at home

• Install anti-virus software
• Norton
• McAfee
• Trend Micro
• Keep your software up to date

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What you can do at home

• Install anti-spyware software
• Webroot Spysweeper
• Microsoft Windows Defender
• Ad-Aware
• Spyware Doctor
• Spybot
• Keep your software up to date

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What you can do at home

• Install a Windows Firewall
• A Firewall monitors and restricts information
  that travels between your computer and the
  Internet
• Windows XP firewall (control panel)
• Norton
• Zone Alarm

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What you can do at home

• Dont install programs you dont need
• Avoid freeware programs
• Resist pop-up ads that tell you that you won
  something, or that wants to fix something
• Use Junk mail filters on your email