ARCHIVED: Protect your computer: A security guide to best practices for online computer users

For questions about this guide, contact your campus Support Center. For further information, browse the UITS web site.

On this page:

• The top three things you can do to protect your computer
• Avoiding threats to your computer
• Using security software
• Specifics for Windows XP
• More information from Microsoft

The top three things you can do to protect your computer

• Use security software: Trojan horses, viruses, and spyware are probably the most common threats facing online computer users. Consequently, to protect your computer and avoid posing a threat to others, UITS recommends that you install antivirus software and spyware/adware detection and removal software and keep it current.

  Note: The University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends that you run the latest version of Symantec/Norton AntiVirus software (available to IU students, faculty, and staff for free via IUware) for your operating system, being sure to upgrade safely (see In Windows, how do I safely upgrade to the latest Symantec Endpoint or AntiVirus software?), and that you update your virus definitions daily and scan your computer weekly. For instructions, see:

  • Windows: In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus for Windows, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?
  • Mac OS and OS X: In Norton AntiVirus for Mac OS or Mac OS X, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?
  
  
• Practice the principle of least privilege: The principle of least privilege (PoLP) advocates for users and processes to use the minimal privileges necessary to perform tasks. Following this practice limits the security risk to your computer; if low-privileged processes or accounts are compromised, the risk of damage is less than if high-privileged accounts and processes are compromised. To learn more about this concept, see What is the principle of least privilege?
  
  
• For Windows, maintain current computer patches: If you use Windows Me, 2000, or XP, you can schedule Automatic Updates, which will automatically download and install available updates. To configure Automatic Updates, see What is the Windows Automatic Updates feature and how do I use it? For other Windows versions, regularly visit the Windows Update site; for more information, see What is Windows Update and how do I use it to update my Windows installation?

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Avoiding threats to your computer

• What are computer viruses, and where can I find more information?
• At IU, how can I protect my computer from an email attachment infected with a virus?
• Best practices for computer security
• What is instant messaging?
• If I use instant messaging software, how can I keep my computer secure?
• What is spyware or adware, and how can I remove it?
• If I use file-sharing software, how can I keep my computer secure?
• If I use a cable modem or DSL, how do I keep my computer secure?
• At IU, how can I keep my password secure?

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Using security software

• What is security software?
• At IU, how can I get university-distributed software?
• What is Symantec/Norton AntiVirus software, and where can I get it?
• What is Windows Defender and how do I use it?
• What is Ad-Aware, and where can I get it?
• ARCHIVED: What is Spybot - Search & Destroy, and where can I get it?
• In Windows 2000 or XP, how can I boot into Safe Mode?

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Windows XP specifics

Monitor the Windows Security Center

• What is the Microsoft Windows Security Center?
• What is a firewall?
• In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus for Windows, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?

Schedule Windows Automatic Updates

• What is the Windows Automatic Updates feature and how do I use it?
• What are service packs for Windows, and where can I get them?

Computer user accounts and security

• ARCHIVED: In Windows, what are administrators and administrative rights?
• In Windows, why should I avoid running my computer as an administrator?
• What is the principle of least privilege?
• In Windows XP or Vista, how do I create an administrator account?
• In Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, how do I set the administrator password?
• At IU, in Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, how do I give myself or other users login privileges on my computer?
• In Windows XP or Vista, on my stand-alone or workgroup computer, how do I add a new user?
• In Windows XP or Vista, how do I change existing users to Restricted users?
• In Windows XP, how do I turn off User Fast Switching?
• In Windows 2000 and XP, what is the Secondary Logon service?

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More information from Microsoft

• How to Protect Your Computer from Spyware and Adware
• Manage Your Computer's Security Settings in One Place
• How to turn on computer updates for Windows XP
• User Account Control Overview
• Why you should not run your computer as an administrator
• To add a new user to the computer
• To create a user password
• To change a user's group or account type
• Fast User Switching
• Starting in Safe Mode

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Also see:

• If I use social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook, how can I protect my personal information?