Securing your computers at home:

1. Purchase and regularly update your anti-virus software. We recommend either of the two products below
   • McAfee VirusScan
   • Norton AntiVirus
2. Turn on a Firewall
   • It's built into Windows XP with Service Pack 2
   • Download Zone Alarm
   • On a Mac, turn the built-in firewall on
3. Update your systems regularly (bi-weekly)
   • Visit http://www.windowsupdate.com for Windows updates
   • Visit http://www.support.apple.com/downloads for Mac updates or select Software Updates from the top left Apple menu.
4. Download and use Mozilla Firefox as your web-browser. Firefox is a strong pop-up blocker and will not automatically download other programs like worms and Trojan horses. We strongly recommend that you do not use Microsoft Internet Explorer due to its many security flaws. Use Mozilla Firefox instead.
5. Regularly backup your data.

Securing your personal data:

1. Purchase a personal shredder to shred any documents that you are disposing of that might have account numbers, social security numbers, and the like.
2. Check your credit report regularly at http://www.annualcreditreport.com
3. Protecting yourself reading email

   Phishing is a mechanism by which people who are trying to scam or obtain your personal information, send you an email that looks very much like it's coming from your bank, credit card, or other account (even for credit reports).

   Phishing works by fooling you into believing that you are actually going to the site of your bank or other online account(Many times, these false sites will use actually images from the real home page). Then they get you to "log in" by typing your account number and password. This information is then recorded and you will get a page indicating that there is no information on this page. At this point your information has been compromised.

   Additionally, if you want more information about Phishing, please visit the Anti-Phishing Working Group for more information at: http://www.antiphishing.org/

   1. Proceed very cautiously with any request for account information. Independently verify any request for information by calling the company or by opening a new browser and finding the website on your own.
   2. Don't click on hyperlinks in emails.
   3. Familiarize yourself with the security measures adopted by all of the companies with whom you do business.
   4. Keep abreast of current fraud alerts by visiting the websites of the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Federation of America, and FraudWatch International. Seeing an example of a fraudulent email solicitation can be helpful in preparing you for what may be sitting in your inbox.
4. Be careful making purchases online
   1. Type in the address of the site you want to purchase from.
   2. When you get to the page where they ask for your credit card information, make sure the web address starts with a https:// instead of just a plain old http://. This indicates that it is a secure site. Additionally there should be a locked padlock in the lower portion of your broswer.
   3. If you are on a site that you are not familiar with, or not a regular customer of, look for the Better Business Bureau or Verisign logos and click through to verify that these companies are okay. (When you click through, it should take you to the respective site and include a listing of their performance (Better Business Bureau) or their security status (Verisign). There are additional security agencies, but these two are the biggest.
   4. If you are asked to establish an account, don't use easy to remember passwords like "password" or "shopping" or the name of a relative or your birthday.
   5. Use a credit card to make purchases because most credit card companies now will protect you against fraudulent activity once the amount passes $50.

Security Terms

• Worm - it's bad code that might run by itself or incooperation with another program
• Trojan Horse - a program or file that disguises itself for the sole purpose of opening a hole for a worm or virus or other malicious thing to attack or use your computer.
• Virus - usually a program that will do some very bad things to your computer.
• Firewall - an electronic protection device that puts a barrier between you and the rest of the internet
• Phishing - trying to steal your personal data while looking like a web site that you regularly do business with.