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If something seems strange, stop. Think about it. Are you being asked to run a program from a source you don't trust? Are you sure the person or web site you're talking to is who you think it is? Pay attention to unusual warning messages. If something feels wrong, it usually is.
If you're not sure, call the Help Desk or email us at security@brandeis.edu for a second opinion. A five-minute phone call can save you a lot of frustration later.
Backing up your data is always a good idea. In addition to preventing accidental data loss, backups can save you a lot of hassle if your computer becomes infected with malware. If you have private or sensitive data, please also read up on protecting sensitive data.
Don't check your email from your worst enemy's computer. You may even want to be wary about checking email from your best friend's computer if the friend doesn't keep their computer secure.
When you connect to an insecure wireless network off-campus, especially at an airport or hotel, either avoid doing anything private online or use a virtual private network.
Out-of-date food can make you sick. Out-of-date software can let attackers make your computer sick. You should keep your Windows, Mac, or other computer up to date and reboot when asked to by updates.
If you're still using Internet Explorer, stop. LTS no longer supports Internet Explorer for general web browsing because of a long history of serious security problems in that software.
Use Firefox instead. Firefox is a web browser that looks and works almost the exactly the same as Internet Explorer. It's free, and it makes it more difficult for bad guys to get into your computer through malicious web sites.
Antivirus programs are not perfect, but they can significantly decrease the chance of becoming infected by a malicious program if you run Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows. Brandeis officially supports and provides Symantec Antivirus free for faculty, staff, and students.
The more software you have on your computer, the more potential security problems there could be in them. If you only need a program once, uninstall it when you're done. If you're not sure if something is safe to remove, check with the Help Desk first.
