January 28, 2009

ITaP offers tips for Data Privacy Day

"For many people, the Internet touches every area of their lives:  social networking, shopping, paying bills, conducting business, how they get their news or other information," says Scott Ksander, chief information security officer at Purdue.  Failing to use basic Internet security tools can potentially expose a computer user's personal information on the Internet,

On Jan. 28, the United States, Canada, and 27 European countries will celebrate the second annual international Data Privacy Day.  In recognition of Data Privacy Day, ITaP’s Networks and Security group offers their top security guidelines for protecting data privacy while on the Internet:

* Install and use daily anti-virus software and set your computer to automatically update anti-virus applications daily. 
* Install firewall security software.  
* Apply operating system security software patches and updates regularly.  Windows users can use Microsoft's Windows Update Service.  Apple OSX users should install security updates when prompted by "software update."  Also apply patches to application software such as word processors, IM clients, and other programs. 
* Set the security settings to the highest level on Internet browsers. 
* Use adware and spyware removal programs. 
* Be suspicious of any unexpected e-mail requesting personal information, or of any email attachment, even if it is from someone that you know.  Never comply with requests for personal information from an e-mail unless you initiated the contact (these are often phishing scams trying to steal your personal information).  Be suspicious of any unexpected e-mail attachment even if from someone you do know because it may have been sent without that person's knowledge from an infected machine.

"Ensuring that your security settings are operational is very important," Ksander says. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance-Symantec Online Safety Study, more than 80 percent of the respondents claim to have a firewall installed.  Subsequent scanning showed that only 42 percent actually had adequate firewall protection.  "Users should take care to periodically check that security settings are still providing protection."

Additional information regarding computer security can be found on the SecurePurdue website:  www.purdue.edu/securepurdue.

The National Cyber Security Alliance-Symantec Online Safety Study is available at, http://staysafeonline.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=33