Online Safety and

Security
The Internet = A World of Opportunities

A myriad of information is at your

fingertips
• A way to communicate with
colleagues, friends, and family
• Access to information
and entertainment
• A means to learn, meet people, and
explore
Online Security vs Online Safety

Security: We must secure

our computers with
technology in the same way
that we secure the doors to
our homes.
Safety: We must act in ways
that help protect us against
the risks that come with
Internet use.
Primary Online Risks and Threats

To Computers To Personal
(Security) Information
(Safety)
• Viruses
• Online fraud and
• Worms phishing
• Trojans • Hoaxes
• Spyware • Identity theft
• Adware • Spam
Primary Threats to Computer Security

Viruses/Worms
Software programs
designed to invade your Trojans
computer, and copy, Viruses that pretend to be
damage, or delete your helpful programs while
data. destroying your data,
Spyware/Adware
damaging your computer, Software that tracks your
and stealing your personal online activities or displays
information. endless ads.
Four Steps to Help Protect Your Computer

Turn on Windows Internet firewall

Use Microsoft Update to keep Windows

up-to-date automatically
Install and maintain antivirus software

Install and maintain antispyware software

Turn on Windows Internet Firewall

• The firewall helps create

a protective barrier
between your computer
and the internet
• Some antivirus programs
also come with a firewall
 Click Start, Control
Panel, Windows
Firewall, then “Turn
Windows Firewall
on or off”
Select “Turn on
Windows Firewall”
for all networks

11/19/24
Use Automatic Updates to Keep Software
Up-to-date

• Install all updates

as soon as they
are available
• Automatic updates provide
the best protection
• Enabled by default on FSU
computers
  Click Start, Control
Panel, then Windows
Update, and “Change
Settings”
 Select
“Install updates
automatically”
 Notice the install time
and be sure your
computer is turned on
 Or visit
http://update.microsoft.com

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Keep Java, Flash, and other add-on
programs up to date

• These programs will

prompt you when updates
are available
• Always install as
soon as possible
Install and Maintain Antivirus Software

• Antivirus software
helps to detect and
remove computer
viruses before they can
cause damage.
• For antivirus software
to be effective, you Don’t let it expire
must keep it up-to-date.
Install and Maintain Antispyware Software

• Use antispyware software,

such as Malware Bytes, so
unknown software cannot
track your online activity and
potentially steal your
information.
•Many antivirus programs now
include antispyware
Other Ways to Help Protect Your Computer

Back up your files regularly

Read Web site
privacy statements
Close pop-ups using Alt+F4
Think before you click
Back up Your Files

At FSU, make sure to store

important information on
network drives
Save to CD/DVD, a USB
drive, or other external
source
Use a Web-based backup
service such as
http://www.onedrive.com
Read Privacy Statements

 Understand what you are

getting before you agree
to download or share
your personal
information
 Read End User License
Agreements (EULA’s)
before clicking “Agree”
or “Accept”
Use the Alt+F4 to Close Pop-ups

Always press Alt+F4

on your keyboard to
close pop-ups

Never click “yes,” “accept,” or even “cancel” or

“abort” because it could be a trick that installs
software on your computer.
Think Before You Click

Be cautious with e-mail

attachments and links
Only download
files from Web sites
you trust
Use a web site advisor
program such as McAfee Site
Advisor
 Download free from
http://www.siteadvisor.com
11/19/24
Primary Threats to Personal Online Safety

Phishing
E-mail sent by online
criminals to trick you
into going to fake
Web sites and Spam
revealing personal Unwanted e-mail,
information instant messages,
and other online
Identity Theft communication
Hoaxes
A crime where con
artists get your E-mail sent by online
personal information criminals to trick you
and access your cash into giving them
and/or credit money
Three Steps to Help Protect Your Personal
Information

Practice Internet behavior that lowers

your risk
Manage your personal information carefully

Use technology to reduce nuisances, and raise

the alarm when appropriate
Practice Internet Behaviors that Help
Reduce Your Risk

Look for ways to reduce spam

Be on the lookout for
online scams
Use strong passwords
Ways to Reduce Spam

You usually can tell a spam message by it’s title,

so never open those messages, delete them right
away!
Never reply to a spam message or click their
“remove me” links- it will generate MORE spam
Create a free online email account (Yahoo, MSN,
Gmail) and use that account for offers online
Avoid Online Scams

 Know who you're dealing with

 Be alert to the fact that scams exist
 Do not open suspicious texts, pop-up windows or click
on links or attachments in emails – delete them
 Don't respond to phone calls about your computer
asking for remote access
 Keep your personal details secure
Use Strong Passwords

How secure is your password???

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx
Choosing secure passwords

Do Not:
Use your name or your Username in any form
Use your spouse's, child's or pet’s name
Use other information easily obtained about you
(License plate, telephone, or social security numbers,
brand of your automobile, street address, etc.)
Use words found in dictionaries
Choosing secure passwords

Do:
Use a password with mixed-case alphabetic characters
Use a password with non-alphabetic characters (e.g., digits or
punctuation)
Use a password that is easy to remember, so you don't have to
write it down
Try using a the first letter of each word in a long phrase, then
substitute caps and symbols
Choosing a secure password

Examples of Bad Passwords:

 johnd, dnhoj, johndjohnd, JOHND, ABC123D, StarWars,
0123456789, xxx999, mydogRover, truck, ILoveTom

Examples of Good Passwords:

 WAter5, Si11ymE, Ez24get, Mt4bwY
Password Requirements

 Password must be a minimum length of eight characters

 Password cannot contain all or part of your User name
 At least 10 unique passwords must be used before a
password can be reused
 Password must contain a combination of three of the
following categories: uppercase characters (A thru Z),
lowercase characters (a thru z), numeric (1 thru 9), and
non-alphabetic characters (!,@,#,$,%, etc.)
Manage Personal Information Carefully

 Do not share personal information in

e-mail or instant messages
 Use only secure and
trusted Web sites
 Make sure you are where
you think you are: Web sites can be
faked
 Avoid financial transactions over
unsecured wireless networks
 When in public, stay private
Have you been Phished?

Phishing is a type of deception designed to steal

your valuable personal data, such as credit card
numbers, passwords, account data, or other
information.
Phishers send an email to get you to go to a web
site where you are fooled into exposing your
passwords or even banking information so they
can take the money in your account.
  Sample
Phishing email
from a bank

11/19/24
From: Webmaster [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 5:25 AM
Subject: User Quarantine Release Notification

Hello,
 Sample
We are carrying out a routine quarantine exercise . we have started our yearly
server (inactive email-accounts / spam protecting etc) clean-up process to enable
service upgrade/migration efficiency. Please be informed that your account usage
Phishing email
will be fully restricted if you do not adhere to this notice.
sent to FSU users
You are to provide your account details for immediate Quarantine by clicking on
your reply button to respond as follows (This will confirm your account login/usage
Frequency / account continuation potentials):

*Username:
*Password:
*Alternate Email:

All IT Service utilities will not be altered during this period, This will not affect the
operation of your IT service systems or the manner in which you currently login to
your account. Account access and usage will be disabled if you fail to comply as
required.

Help Desk
Information Technology
© 2011 All rights reserved

11/19/24
Ways to Tell that an Email Message is
Fraudulent

Phrases to look for:

 "Verify your account."
 "If you don't respond within 48 hours, your account will
be closed."
 "Dear Valued Customer."
 "Click the link below to gain access to your account."
How to Protect Yourself

 Never follow links or call phone numbers listed in an

email. Type the company’s URL directly in a new
browser window, or call the number listed on your
statement.
 When in doubt, delete. Delete any email you have
doubts about, especially one that requests you to give up
your personal, private information.
 If you feel the email looks suspicious, report the email to
the 'real' company.
 How to shop online more safely

Before you select a store:

 Do a background check. Look for a physical address (not a Post
Office box), request a catalog by mail, or call and talk to a
company representative.
 Explore the Web site for third-party seals of approval such as:
BBBOnline (Better Business Bureau Online)
or
TRUSTe
 Find out what other shoppers have to say (Epinions or Bizrate)
 Review their shipping methods and policies
Before You Enter a Credit Card Number

 The company should only require personal information

that's necessary to complete the purchase (you will
probably enter your credit card number, address, and
telephone number).
 The Web site should use secure technology. When you get
to the screen where you enter your credit card number or
other personal information, make sure that the Web
address begins with https (for example,
https://www.tailspintoys.com) and check to see if a tiny
locked padlock appears next to the URL.
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Use Public Wireless Networks More Safely

If a wireless network is
unsecured:
 Use a firewall
 Don't type in credit card
numbers or passwords
 Turn off your wireless
network when you're not
using it
Check your Social Network settings

 Do you know what other

people can see on your
Facebook or Twitter page?
 Be careful what you post
 “If you can’t say something
nice, don’t say nothing at
all”
 Google yourself!
 Frostburg State University
11/19/24 Office of Information Technology
 Frostburg State University
11/19/24 Office of Information Technology
Secure Your Wireless at
Home

Wireless networks often extend more

than 300 feet from your wireless router.
It's one thing to let a neighbor
borrow your lawn mower, but
you should think twice about
allowing anyone to access your
home network!
Out of the box, many wireless
routers are completely
Tips for Wireless Home Network Security

 Change Default Administrator Passwords (and

Usernames)
 Turn on (Compatible) WPA / WPA2 Encryption
 Change the Default SSID
 Disable SSID Broadcast
 Enable Firewalls On Each Computer and the Router
 Position the Router or Access Point Safely
 Turn Off the Network During Extended Periods of Non-
Use
 Change passwords and WPA / WPA2 keys regularly