I’m fortunate to be working at the University of Alaska. Although my computer data is shared with many other users, I am fairly well protected from harmful attacks on my computer. We know all too well what devastating effects a worm or virus can have and how quickly it can spread.
My individual computer has multiple firewalls which block worms and viruses. My privacy setting for internet options was so high I was unable to post anything to Blogger when I first started this class. I also always have pop-up blocker turned on, which sometimes gets in the way of performing certain tasks of my job.
I never open any e-mails from people I do not personally know. If I accidentally open one of these e-mails by accident I immediately delete it, without opening any attachments.
UAF has software called Pointproof that places suspicious looking e-mails in quarantine for 14 days after which time they are automatically deleted. You wouldn’t believe the amount of absolute junk and porn this software detects, 172 for yesterday alone!
We also have a program called Spybot Search & Destroy which automatically scans my computer system every day for spyware and all other threats.
At UAF we often get warnings about phishing scams from our Procurement Office. There are so many employees here we often get reports and advice about specific phishing scams which have affected one of us. I never give any personal information to any e-mail request.
I also have access to a great OIT (Office of Information Technology) Support Center and on-site computer techs for my specific college if I ever have any problems or suspect that I’m in harm’s way.
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3 comments:
as you point out, we're well-protected...but sometimes at the cost of being able to do productive things (like post to blogs) online.
It is usually at home where it is more difficult to safeguard myself from viruses and spyware as at work there are people who take care of this all the time.
I sometimes wonder if the protection is just more "spyware" you know - quis custodiet ipsos custodes - who is guarding the guards?
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