Information Security Checklist

1- Never leave your laptop unattended in public spaces.

Whether you’re in the library, dining hall, or locker room, pack up your laptop and take it with you!  Also never leave your laptop visible in a locked car, as this invites criminals to do damage to both car and computer.

2- Create strong, easy to remember passwords (or passphrases) and keep them private.

Abbreviate a phrase, exchange numbers for letters and use special characters. Combine phrases together to create long, complex passwords that are easy to remember and never share it with anyone, even if asked for it.  Use different passwords for each site or online account

3- Don’t reply to phishing emails requesting your account information.

Phishing, or spear phishing, emails look legitimate and ask for your username and password under the guise of a perceived need, such as an email server upgrade.

Never respond to requests for personal information unless you know that it is required and you have read a privacy agreement.

4- Don’t blindly accept invitations in your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc), don’t open attachments or installers from others, and don’t click on links in emails from unknown senders.

Unless you are explicitly downloaded the file or software for installation, never open it.

If you are unsure, call the sender to confirm they sent you something.  Instead of clicking one the URL in the email message, copy and paste it into a web browser or visit it by manually typing in the address.

5-  Update everything and install security software:

Windows and Mac OS updates - Schedule and install operating system updates and security patches.

Anti-virus/Anti-malware - Run updates and schedule scans on your computer for commercial products.

Web browser plug-ins -  Update helper applications, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Flash and Oracle’s Java

6-  Stop illegal file-sharing and remove your peer-to-peer (P2P).

7- Stay away from untrusted networks or public computers.

Be careful when using free, public wireless networks at hotels, airports, and coffee shops or public computers.  Refrain from doing any sensitive online activities or using any account information and always ensure you log off of public computers.

8- Turn off your computer when you’re not using it. 

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