Safe Computing

1. What does it mean to "practice safe computing?"

2. My computer seems to run slower than when I first bought it, how can I clean it off to make it run faster?

3. How can I clean off my Internet files?

4. I’m worried about my privacy, is it possible for people to get my personal information if I go onto websites?

5. Can I get a virus through email? How can I prevent opening an email with a virus?

6. How do I update my virus definitions to get the latest updates?

7. What is a virus?

8. Can a virus really harm my computer?

9. How do viruses travel?

1. What does it mean to "practice safe computing?"
   The principles of "Safe Computing" are:

• Keep your antivirus software up-to-date. New viruses are being deployed daily. If you have a Windows computer, you are in a high risk group. Use any of the common software choices like Norton AntiVirus, McAfee, etc and take advantage of automatic virus definition updates provided for users through your software.  

• Make sure you run a virus scan on all files that you download from the internet, from friends, from any source other than your own computer. It’s recommended to do a full systems scan monthly.

• Do NOT open ANY email with an attachment that you are not expecting, or whose sender is unfamiliar to you. Even if you do not open the attachment, some of the newest viruses can infect your system if you simply open the email message!

• Do NOT open email attachments or click on hyperlinks in email messages from unknown correspondents.
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2. My computer seems to run slower than when I first bought it, how can I clean it off to make it run faster?
   Delete the temporary and Un-Wanted files, Run Disk Cleanup, Defragment the drive and make sure you scan the machine regularly for a virus. Also, you may have spyware on your computer. Contact the HelpDesk for assistance in removing it.
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3. How can I clean off my Internet files?
   Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Internet Options > Delete Cookies > Clear History.
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4. I’m worried about my privacy, is it possible for people to get my personal information if I go onto websites?
   When you make purchases online make sure the company you are purchasing from is using a secure server. There will be a notice at the bottom of the page saying secure. Most transactions over the web now are secure. This does not guarantee anything. As security is getting better so are the thieves, always be cautious when giving you credit card or any other important information to anyone. Use your judgment.
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5. Can I get a virus through email? How can I prevent opening an email with a virus?
   Yes you can get a virus through email and yes you can prevent it. Do not open any attachments from people you do not trust or know or not expecting an attachment from. Please be sure to Scan all files that you do download with Anti Virus software before opening them.
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6. How do I update my virus definitions to get the latest updates?
   If you own a copy of Norton Anti Virus and most other anti virus software applications you may open it and run Live Update. This can be setup through task manager in the control panel to be done automatically.
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7. What is a virus?
   A parasitic program written intentionally to enter a computer without the users permission or knowledge. The word parasite is used because a virus attaches to files or boot sectors and replicates itself, thus continuing to spread. Though some virus's do little but replicate, others can cause serious damage or effect program and system performance. Some recent viruses that spread via email replicated so quickly that world-wide internet and mail server performance was degraded. A virus should never be assumed harmless and left on a system.
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8. Can a virus really harm my computer?
   The main purpose of a virus is to cause damage to your computer or the network. It is always wise to have an up-to-date anti-virus program installed and running on your computer whenever it is in use.
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9. How do viruses travel?

   They can travel as email attachments, via floppy disks, through a network, and as downloads non-authentic sites.  They can also be transmitted through chat clients.
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