Computing Best Practices

Top 10 list of good computing practices:

1. Use cryptic passwords that can't be easily guessed, and protect your passwords.

• Don't share your passwords and avoid writing them down.
• Characteristics of good, cryptic passwords:
  • At least 8 characters in length
  • Contain a mixture of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols
  • Difficult to guess
  • Easy to remember (so you don't have to write them down)

2. Be distrustful when using the Internet.

• Don't provide personal or sensitive information to Internet sites, surveys or forms unless you are using a trusted, secure web page.
• Also, just opening a malicious web page can infect a poorly protected computer. Be aware of where you are going before clicking on a web link. When in doubt, instead of clicking on an unknown or unsolicited link, look up the web site on your own and go there independently.

3. Practice Safe Emailing.

• Don't open email attachments or click on web site addresses in emails unless you really know what you're opening.
• Delete spam and suspicious emails; don't open, forward or reply to them.

4. Secure your area, files and portable equipment before leaving them unattended.

• Check windows, doors and drawers (take keys out of drawers).
• Lock up any sensitive materials before you leave your area.
• Never share your access code, card or key.

5. Secure laptop computers with a lockdown cable at all times.

• Wherever you take it: your office, meetings, conferences, coffee shops, etc.
• Make sure it is locked to something permanent. 

6. Shut down, lock, log off of, or put your computer to sleep before leaving it unattended.

• <ctrl> <alt> <delete> on a PC; Apple menu on a Mac.

7. Make sure your computer requires a password to start up or wake-up.

8. Make sure your computer is protected with anti-virus and all necessary security "patches" and updates, and that you know what you need to do, if anything, to keep them current.

• Talk to your computer support person for assistance.

9. Don't keep sensitive information or your only copy of critical data on portable devices (such as laptop computers, CDs/floppy disks, memory sticks, PDAs, data phones, etc.) unless they are properly protected. These items are extra vulnerable to theft or loss.

10. Don't install unknown or suspicious programs on your computer.

• These can harbor behind-the-scenes computer viruses or open a "back door" giving others access to your computer without your knowledge.