Information Security Tools

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Information Security Tools

• Oscar B. Bambolo
• Idaho State University
• 208 233-1709
• October 18, 2005
• Presidential Internship

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ISU Information Security Curriculum

• In our world today where the speed and accuracy
  of information is of the utmost importance, a
  compromise of information transfer and/or
  information security is a very tricky and
  dangerous situation to encounter. It poses great
  problems not only for large establishments but
  for the individual as well. The loss or
  mishandling of company or personal data can
  easily cause problems ranging from the loss of
  huge amounts of money and property to the time
  consuming hassle and headache of trying to
  reproduce the lost data including figuring out
  what was lost before it is needed for its
  intended purpose.
• The primary reason for an awareness curriculum at
  ISU is to develop a concrete campus wide strategy
  for keeping our network safe from information
  predators. Secondly, to start cultivating good
  information security habits and to bring the
  whole ISU body up-to-date regularly on best
  practices and how to identify potential problems.
  Finally, knowing what to do and who to contact in
  the case of a problem or perceived threat.

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Tools for safety

• Antivirus Software
• Protects your computer against computer virus.
  Remember to update and run a full system scan
  daily. Most AV softwares will allow you to
  schedule times to scan and update on a daily
  basis. Some recommended AV softwares are
• AVG (http//free.grisoft.com)
• Norton (http//www.symantec.com)
• McAfee (www.mcafee.com)
• Firewall
• A hardware or software system used to block
  unsolicited access to or from a network.
• Encryption
• Safest way at present to secure data. Uses a
  secret key that is shared by the originator and
  destination computers. Without that key, the data
  cannot be decrypted.

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Tools for Safety 2

• Digital Signature
• A digital code that can be attached to an
  electronic transfer of data to identify the
  sender. Like a written signature the digital
  signature is used to uniquely identify the sender
  of data.
• Spyware removal tool
• A software that finds and eliminates data mining
  software and other like tools from your computer.
  Spyware usually comes in the form of ads with
  other embedded programs that track your web
  activity through your browser. These types of
  software can greatly reduce your internet speed.
  Some recommended tools
• 1. Adaware Spyware removal tool
  http//www.lavasoft.com/
• 2. Microsoft Windows Anti Spyware (free till July
  2006)
• http//www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/s
  oftware/default.mspx
• Secure Password
• A well thought out and hard to guess password is
  the best. Keeping ones password personal and
  safely out of sight, preferably memorized, is a
  very important step in keeping the bad guys out.
  Remember, it is hard to suspect a thief with a
  key to the door.

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Tools for Safety 3

• Follow proper procedures and rules.
• Refer to the Information Technology policies in
  the Faculty/Staff handbook (http//www.isu.edu/fs-
  handbook/part3/3_8/3_8.html) for information
  concerning what you should do when using ISUs
  network. In case of a suspected attack or
  vulnerability, contact the helpdesk for help on
  what to do next.
• Awareness- stay informed.
• Acquire information from the ISUs HelpDesk
  (extension HELP(4357) on-campus 282-HELP
  off-campus or help_at_isu.edu)
• or other internet sources about latest threats
  and find out what you can do to be better
  prepared for the problem.