Archive for May 2013

The Dangers of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Sharing

by Neal Fisch in awareness, data security, faculty, Peer-to-Peer (P2P), personal security, security, social networking, spyware, staff, students, tips 0

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking is a popular method for sharing files, music, photographs and other information. Just remember that this method can come with its share of major risks. It is best to know with whom you are sharing data and files versus browsing for a site that you believe meets your criteria. The data you receive may be corrupted with malware or expose you to legal ramifications (e.g., copyrights, pirated software or music). So, be safe and know what your P2P buddy is offering before you load a copy onto your device.

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Scan Your Computer

by Neal Fisch in awareness, data security, email, faculty, passwords, personal security, phishing scams, security, social networking, spear phishing attack, spyware, staff, students, tips 0

Once an anti-virus and/or anti-spyware package has been installed on your computer, you should scan your entire computer periodically. If your anti-virus package has the ability to automatically scan specific files or directories and prompt you at set intervals to perform complete scans, enable this feature.

What can I do to protect my computer?

Don't click on pop-up ads that advertise anti-virus or anti-spyware programs
Use and regularly update firewalls, anti-virus, and anti-spyware programs
Properly configure and patch operating systems, browsers, and other software programs.
Turn off ActiveX and Scripting, or prompt for their use.

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Newtork Groupshares Now Available

by Neal Fisch in attacks, faculty, staff, students, virus 0

The issue with our groupshares has been identified and corrected. The parties who had their workstations affected have been contacted and are in the process of having their workstations corrected. No data was lost as a result of this issue.

Network groupshares are now available for use. Public drive Z: will not be available until Noon today.

Network Groupshares Currently Unavailable.

by Neal Fisch in security, virus 0

The following network groupshare drives are currently offline, G:\, H:\ and Z:\ drives. T&C Infrastructure is currently researching the issue. Please navigate to the T&C Information Security web page for status updates. The next update is scheduled for 9:00 AM unless the issue is resolved before then.

New Cloud Security Awareness Video Now Available.

by Neal Fisch in awareness, cloud, data security, faculty, personal security, security, staff, students, tips 0

A new video released by SANS.org is available this month to help you learn what the cloud is and how you can use it securely.

E-mail is insecure by default. It's more like a postcard than a sealed envelope.

by Neal Fisch in awareness, data security, email, personal security, security, tips 0

Many people are under the misconception that when they draft and send e-mail, two things occur. Their message gets sealed in a (virtual) envelope (that's why you have to open e-mail right?) and that it goes directly to the person it was sent to via internet magic.

The truth is your e-mail is sent in plain open text (i.e. readable by anyone who picks it up along the way) and is passed around the Internet with multiple stops until it reaches its destination. People with evil intentions can intercept your e-mail, read it or even alter it before it reaches your intended recipient. For this reason you should only be sending information over email that you're willing to have shared with the virtual world.