Windows Security
Tech Talk
9/25/07
What is a virus?
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A computer program designed to
self replicate without permission
from the end user
The program can simply be
annoying (displaying messages), or
it can be damaging (deleting files)
A Program written and distributed
by a person
How do you get a virus?
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Documents
Macros
Email attachments
File sharing applications
External disks (CD’s, Flash Drives)
What ITS is doing on campus
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Scans all email messages for viruses
Protects servers against know
vulnerabilities
Operates firewalls and gateways to block
virus activity
Freeze public computers to prevent
spreading
Installs and configures Sophos Anti-virus
on campus computers
What is Spyware?
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A computer program designed to
monitor your activity
The program can collect information
silently and then sell that
information to advertisers
The program can cause annoying
pop up messages and/or redirect
your web browser
How do you get spyware?
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Pop up ads
Attached to freeware or shareware
Almost all file sharing applications
come with spyware
Disguised as security software or
anti-spyware programs
What ITS is doing on campus
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Filter email messages known to
cause spyware (Postini)
Freeze public computers to prevent
spyware
Installs and configures Webroot
Spysweeper on campus computers
What you can do at home
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Run Windows Update to download
the latest security patches
Schedule Windows Updates to
install automatically to help you
remember (control panel)
Turn on your pop up blocker and
phishing filter (IE7)
What you can do at home
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Install anti-virus software
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Norton
McAfee
Trend Micro
Keep your software up to date
What you can do at home
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Install anti-spyware software
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Webroot Spysweeper
Microsoft Windows Defender
Ad-Aware
Spyware Doctor
Spybot
Keep your software up to date
What you can do at home
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Install a Windows Firewall
A Firewall monitors and restricts
information that travels between
your computer and the Internet
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Windows XP firewall (control panel)
Norton
Zone Alarm
What you can do at home
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Don’t install programs you don’t
need
Avoid freeware programs
Resist pop-up ads that tell you that
you won something, or that wants
to fix something
Use Junk mail filters on your email