Computer Security - Collection of Resources

Nearly everything relies on the Internet and computers these days, including communication, transportation, medicine, shopping, and many other daily occurrences. Cyber security is essential to keep confidential information safe from potential threats and attacks. Among the many computer risks, there is always a risk of viruses eliminating or altering files, stealing credit card information to make unauthorized purchases, and various other fraudulent activities. There are several things that individuals and businesses can do to recognize these risks and prevent them from occurring. The following resources will provide this essential information.

General

• Password Tips: Tips on how to create a secure password, the importance of keeping it fresh, and the safety aspects of sending your passwords through e-mail.
• Antivirus Software: Learn what exactly a virus and spyware is and how an anti-virus or anti-spyware can help to remove these computer threats.
• Using Firewalls: Computer users can determine the difference between a personal and network firewall and how to block programs to prevent fraudulent access to computer programs.
• Communicating Privacy to Children: Parents can use this information to speak to their children about the dangers of social networking to keep them aware of privacy issues.
• Keeping Confidential Data Safe: Learn what you can do to keep your confidential information safe from computer attacks.

Attacks and Threats

• Dealing with Cyberbullies: Details on how cyberbullying can occur, reactions to cyberbullying, how it can affect children, and how it differs from traditional forms of bullying.
• Corrupted Software Files: Learn what type of files an attacker can corrupt, the problems that these malicious files can cause, and how you can prevent this from occurring.
• About Identify Theft: Frequently asked questions about identify theft, such as how it happens, what you can do about it, and how long the effects can last.
• Spyware Quick Facts: List of facts to help you lower the risk of getting your computer infected with spyware.
• Viruses, Worms, and Spyware: Learn the do’s and don’ts, how to find and install an anti-virus program and enable threat protection, and perform other manual updates to keep your computer safe.
• Tips for Protecting Your Home Computer: Information on how to keep your computer safe against viruses and other intruders.
• Social Networking: Tips for kids; how to prevent your personal information from circulating on the web through social networking.
• The Challenge of Safeguarding Digital Data: Discussion on the difficulty of keeping data safe on the Internet.
• Top Ten Computer Security Tips: Series of tips used to keep your computer safe and functioning properly.
• Computer Tips for Securing Hardware: List of tips for securing computer hardware at home and at work.

Email and Communication

• Reduce Spam: List of ways to significantly reduce the amount of spam that you receive through e-mail.
• Using Caution with E-mail Attachments: Learn why e-mail attachments can be dangerous and the steps you can take to protect yourself and those in your e-mail address book.
• Using Digital Certificates and Signatures: Frequently asked questions about using digital certificates and digital signatures to sign electronic forms and other web-oriented software.
• Safe Instant Messaging and Chat Rooms: Guide to staying safe while using instant messaging and participating in public chat rooms.
• Benefits and Risks of Free E-mail Services: Learn how free e-mail services can be convenient but should not be used for certain types of confidential messages.

Privacy

• Internet Privacy: Learn what an IP address is, why it’s important to hide an IP, and if there is a way to change or remove an IP.
• Top 12 Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy: Tips on how to prevent internet fraud and protect your privacy on the web.
• Encryption: Description of encryption, why we use it and common issues that encryption faces.
• Clean Temporary Files from Browser Cache: Instructions on how to remove temporary files from your computer and clean the browser cache.
• Strengthening Passwords: Tips on how to strengthen passwords on a home computer and over a network.
• Computer Privacy: General techniques used for protecting data and what to do if you suspect private information is compromised.
• Is Your Computer Secure?: Safety measures that should be practiced at home to lower your risk of computer threats while online.
• Computer and Online Privacy: Information on hacking, phishing, spam, and viruses.
• Privacy and Confidentiality: Risks that those in the health field run into due to a large amount of patient records and computer hackers.
• Business Privacy: Privacy page for businesses to ensure that they are up to code on security measures.

Safe Browsing

• Evaluating Your Web Browser’s Settings: Learn why the settings on your web browser are so important, how to locate these settings, and what the different terms mean.
• Shopping Safely Online: Why customers should take special precaution when shopping online and ways that attackers target shoppers.
• Active Content and Cookies: Learn how cookies and active content can be used for malicious purposes.
• Updating the Certificates for Your Web Browser: Instructions on how to update certificates on your web browser.
• Avoid Copyright Infringement: Details on what to do if you receive a copyright infringement notice and how you can avoid this from happening.

Additional Resources

• Install Security Patches: Instructions on how to install patches to ensure that your computer is up-to-date and to prevent viruses.
• VoIP Security
• Risks of Filing Sharing: Learn about the risks of file sharing and how you can reduce these threats.
• Securing Your Computer, Data, and Internet Connection: Complete guide to keeping yourself and your family safe while on the computer.
• Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety: Signs that your child may be at risk while online.
• Understanding the Risks: Common reasons why internet threats occur and how to prevent them through knowledge.
• School and Student Safety: List of printable resources, such as guidelines for Internet safety in schools and a glossary of common web terms.
• Parents and Teacher Internet Safety: Information for parents to encourage children to safely use the computer.
• Internet Safety for the Whole Family: Computer safety tips for the entire family and for educators.
• Cyber Safety for Kids Online: Tips for parents or educators who are trying to teach their children about privacy and safety while on the Internet.