Liberty-Eylau ISD

SECURITY

 

Basic Web Security

• Back up your files in case something were to happen to your computer.  Computers can crash at any given moment without warning.  Always have a back up for this reason because you don't want to lose all your important information.
• Use strong passwords for your internet websites.  Use at least 8 characters, with letters, numbers and special characters.

 

Protect Your Devices

Be certain that you are educated about the threats that you will be exposing your computer and other devices to when you are venturing onto the internet and how to protect them against such attacks.  There are many threats lurking on the internet, many of which you will be unaware of obtaining on your machines almost 90% of the time until after the damage is done.  There are plenty of options to help protect you from these threats, however, so long as you know what they are and how you could possibly be exposed to them.

Malware is short for malicious software, which refers to all programming (code, software, scripts) that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior.  It is a general term to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive or annoying software or program code.  Malware will include all of the below: viruses, spyware and adware, and phishing tools.

VIRUSES

Viruses are harmful computer programs that can be transmitted in many different ways and has the ability to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another.  Viruses have become a bit of a catch-all for all malware even though all malware does not have the ability to replicate. 

Anti-Virus Software

The best protection against viruses is an anti-virus software, which you should always install on your computer before you ever go onto the internet.  There are free and paid versions of anti-virus software, which can also include internet security packages as well--like spyware, adware and phishing protection. 

All anti-virus software will allow for automatic updates to the software; always keep this option active because if you miss an update, you are allowing your computer to be at risk to new viruses.  There are always new ones being created which is why it is important to always have an active anti-virus software which is up-to-date and doing regular scans on your computer.

Always remember that more is not better in the case of anti-virus software: if you are running more than one anti-virus program on one computer the two programs will interfere with one another and instead of getting better protection you will actually be getting no protection at all.  So only ever have one anti-virus software on your computer.

SPYWARE & ADWARE

Spyware is a type of malware that downloads onto your computer without your permission and usually without your knowledge (usually when you visit an unsafe website or download an attachment from an unknown source).  Spyware collects small pieces of information from your computer, such as keylogging (logging key strokes like usernames and passwords), browser history, installing additional software, redirecting web browser activity, and interfering with user control of the computer.

Adware (Advertising-supported software) is a software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer.  These can be in the form of a pop-up, in the user interface of the software, or on a screen presented to the user during the installation process.  The object of adware is to generate revenue for its author.  Adware by itself is harmless but some adware may come with integrated spyware, which as previously stated, is not harmless.

Anti-Spyware Software

Anti-Spyware software is now included in many Anti-Virus Software packages, so if you are looking at those you should consider some that are inclusive to save yourself the headache of having to manage many programs at once.  This way your program will automatically update for both viruses and spyware and you will be doubly covered.

However you can get these programs separately and there is nothing wrong with doing so.  And while it is not advisable to have more than one anti-virus software, it is okay to have more than one anti-spyware software.  Consider running a built-in anti-spyware with your anti-virus program and then run a stand-alone anti-spyware software program on top of that in case one program catches something that the other does not.

PHISHING

Phishing is a way of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.  Communications purporting to be from popular social websites, online payment processors or IT administrators are commonly used to lure in unsuspecting public.  Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail spoofing or text messaging and it often directs users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one. 

Anti-Phishing Tools

There are many different methods to combat phishing, both technological and common sense. 

The first is to be aware of the e-mails you are receiving and who they are from.  If you do not recognize the sender or the name of the sender, don't click on any links or download any attachments that the sender gives you, especially if he is asking for log-in information. 

• If you don't have an account with that bank or that social networking site, it's phishing. 
  
• If you've never heard of the website before, it's phishing. 
  
• If there are misspelled words or the grammar is incorrect and seems odd to you, it's phishing.
• If the sender is asking for money, social security information, or your username or password information by return e-mail, it's phishing.  No legitimate website will ever ask you for this information by e-mail.

Look for secure signs in the website connection.  These signs include the padlock icon, which will be at the bottom, right-hand corner of your web browser or in the URL field as well as the URL beginning with https, where the s stands for secure.  If you are putting in any sort of confidential information on your computer, there should always be a secure connection with https present in your URL.

Both web browsers and e-mail providers have built-in phishing technology now.  Always turn on these features as they are infinitely helpful in identifying phishers when you might not be able to tell the difference. 

• An e-mail may arrive from a phisher under the guise of a website that you are signed up for, using the exact website URL, but end up in your junk e-mail folder, because your e-mail provider recognized that it was not actually sent from the correct place but was re-routed and was truly a phishing e-mail.  By looking you would not have been able to see this but your e-mail provider could and saved you any trouble.

Web browsers now have built in phishing detectors as well, which are optional, but always turn them on.  They will also help protect you from potential threats that are too clever to recognize through common sense and it is always better to be safe than sorry.

 

View this BrainPOP video for more information about computer security.  (Requires LE Login to view.)

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