Here is a checklist of simple steps you can take to keep your computer secure and working optimally:
1. Leave your PC on 24 hours a day all week, Monday through Friday. This applies to all Library staff Windows workstation PCs (public PCs are still turned off every night). You may shut down on Friday evening when leaving for the weekend, but otherwise leave your PC on continuously throughout the work week. Systems Office network administrators will be performing automated virus scanning, security updates and backups after working hours. (You may power off your monitor to save electricity, but the default setting on our Windows PCs shuts the monitor off after 20 minutes anyway.)
2. Close all applications and log off of your PC at the end of every work day. Before leaving, close all open Windows applications and log off of your PC by hitting your "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" keys and selecting "Log Off..." from the Windows menu. This will make it harder for hackers or unauthorized users to access your computer.
3. Password your Windows screen saver. Right-click anywhere on your Windows desktop and select "Properties" then "Screen Saver" and check the "Password protected" box. This will ensure that unauthorized users cannot use your PC when you are away from your desk.
4. Do NOT install "Instant Messaging" or Internet Chat programs! Programs such as AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, IRC, etc. are expressly prohibited on Library computers unless you have written permission from the Library Systems Office. These programs open your computer's Internet ports to wide-open exploitation by hackers and malware, and are a major security problem. If your computer has this software installed, your system will almost certainly be disabled by a hacker attack and Campus Network security will detect and block your access to the Internet by shutting off your IP address at the campus router. (If you have a burning need to use Instant Messaging, there are Web-based ways to use Instant Messaging that do not involve installing any IM software, usually at the Web sites of the respective application vendors.) If you have IM software already installed, remove it immediately by using "Uninstall Programs" in the Windows "Control Panel."
5. Do NOT install "peer-to-peer" file downloading programs! Programs such as Kazaa, Napster and other music and movie downloading and sharing programs are expressly prohibited on Library computers. These programs open your computer's Internet ports to wide-open exploitation by hackers and malware, and are a major security problem. If your computer has this software installed, your system will almost certainly be disabled by a hacker attack and Campus Network security will detect and block your access to the Internet by shutting off your IP address at the campus router.
6. Run your Windows "Disk Defragmenter" at least once a week.
Defragmention rearranges the scattered data clusters on your hard disk
in contiguous order so your computer runs faster and more efficiently,
lessening the possibility of data loss through fragmentation and file corruption.
Double-Click on the "Disk Defragmenter" icon on your desktop and click
to highlight "Programs (C)" then click the "Defragment" button. When notified
that the process is complete, click to highlight "Data (D)" and repeat
the process. This may take up to an hour or more if you haven't defragmented
your hard disk before, so feel free to start a defrag before going to lunch,
for example. You can even start a defrag before going home for the day,
and simply let the process work overnight. Subsequent defrags should take
less time if done on a weekly basis--no more than 5 minutes in most cases.
(If the "Disk Defragmenter" icon isn't on your Windows desktop, you can
locate it in "Start," "Programs," "Accessories," "System Tools." You can
right-click the "Disk Defragmenter" icon and select "Copy," then right-click
anywhere on your Windows desktop and select "Paste" to place the icon on
your desktop for easy future access.)