Towards Safe way of learning computers. An initiative by computerscienceexpertise.com

1. Computing Ethics Towards Safe Computing By: Dheeraj Mehrotra www.computerscienceexpertise.com

3. Ensure you have the latest updates. Install updates and security patches on all servers, desktop and laptop PCs.

4. Reduce the risk of viruses. There are numerous things you can do to protect your computer and your network against viruses. Using anti-virus software and keeping it current is the first step,

5. Use Windows Security Centre to manage your settings. Get a clear picture of the security settings on your PC using the single, unified view provided in the Windows Security Centre.

6. Download internet files from trusted sources only. If you're unsure if the files you want to download are safe, consider downloading them to a disk separate from your hard drive, such as a CD or floppy. Then you can scan the files with your virus scanner.

7. Use password encryption to protect Office files. Improved encryption technology has strengthened password security in Word 2003 and Excel 2003 and extends password encryption to PowerPoint 2003. Look under the Tools menu in each of these three programs to activate password protection. This is an effective way to restrict access to confidential business information.

8. Clean your hard drive before you discard a PC. If you're getting a new PC or notebook and your old one is being discarded, be sure to remove any sensitive business or personal information before you let it go. This doesn't mean simply deleting files and emptying your Recycle Bin. Your options include reformatting the hard drive or acquiring software that wipes it clean.

9. Use a firewall. If your company uses always-on broadband to connect to the internet, install a firewall as a basic line of defence against outside intruders.

10. Never surf the web from a server. As the command centre for your entire network, a server typically stores critical business information.

11. Be smart about passwords. Always use strong passwords that are at least eight characters long and a combination of lower and upper case letters, numbers and symbols. Don't use the same password repeatedly and make it a point to change your passwords frequently.

12. Create secure, original passwords. Creating unique passwords is one of the easiest ways for consumers to ensure their privacy and security online.

13. Avoid deceptive attempts to trick you into revealing credit card numbers, bank accounts, passwords or other personal information.

14. To avoid being a victim, never respond to an e-mail requesting personal information; if you have any doubt, call the institution claiming to need the information.

15. Avoid Phishing What is phishing? Phishing means sending an e-mail that falsely claims to be from a particular enterprise (like your bank) and asking for sensitive financial information. Phishing is sending out a 'bait' in the form of a spoofed e-mail that closely mimics most bank notifications. The fraudulent mail is socially engineered to convince recipients to divulge sensitive information such as credit card numbers, PIN, social security numbers and some such information as per the experts.

16. Practice basic e-mail and downloading "street smarts." Most viruses are transmitted as e-mail attachments.

17. Avoid opening e-mail attachments that contain ".vbs," ".scr," ".exe," or ".pif" file extensions. Files that end in these extensions are most likely to contain some sort of virus.

18. Be wary of e-mail messages that ask for personal or financial information such as user names and passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive personal information, especially those that are alarming and upsetting in tone.

19. Do not click any links inside an e-mail that is suspected to be spoofed. Instead, go directly to the valid company's site then log on from there or call the company directly.

20. Ensure that any Web site visited is secure when submitting sensitive information such as credit card numbers

21. Knowledge is still the best protection from getting scammed. It is important to educate oneself on Internet fraud.

22. Ensure that any Web site visited is secure when submitting sensitive information such as credit card numbers

23. Visit websites by typing the URL directly into the address bar. Make sure any site you reveal information to uses encryption.

24. Check credit card and bank statements routinely. Notify authorities if you suspect any abuses of your personal information.

25. To avoid being a victim, never respond to an e-mail requesting personal information; if you have any doubt, call the institution claiming to need the information.

26. Keep your passwords strong, and keep them in your head.

27. BACK UP THE HARD DRIVE REGULARLY: Backing up files will not prevent exposure or damage from a virus but it can minimize the consequences.

28. INSTALL ANTI VIRUS SOFTWARE: Make sure that you have antivirus software installed and that it is up to date.

29. Don't share your password with anyone, and don't write it down - the only secure place for your password is in your head.

30. USE GOOD PASSWORDS: Use Good Passwords. Do NOT allow a password to be blank or empty.

31. SCAN EVERY FILE DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET BEFORE USING OR OPENING IT: Another way computers are infected is from files downloaded from the internet. If you scan every file every time immediately after it is downloaded, the risk of being infected is greatly reduced

32. BE WARY OF PUTTING YOUR DISK INTO OTHER COMPUTERS. If you use other computers such as a colleague’s computer, these computers may not be protected. Make sure you scan any disk that has been in another computer as soon as you insert it into your computer.

34. SCAN YOUR HARD DISK REGULARLY FOR VIRUSES.

35. Get anti-virus software. Use it. Keep it up to date.

36. If you can't trust the source you're downloading from, you can't trust the file.

37. Don't leave a computer you're logged into unattended or unprotected.

39. Oath by kids: I will not give out any personal information online without my parents' permission. This includes my name, phone number, address, e-mail, location of my school, my parents' work address/ telephone numbers and credit card numbers, and my picture. This goes for anywhere on the Internet, including e-mail, chat rooms, newsgroups - even Web sites that promise me free stuff or prizes, or on Web pages that I make myself.

40. When using the Internet, I will always use a pretend name or nickname that doesn't reveal whether I'm a boy or a girl. Oath by kids:

41. When creating a password, I will make one up that is hard to guess but easy for me to remember. To avoid having it stolen, I will never reveal it to anyone (except my parents) - not even my best friend. Oath by kids :

42. I will not respond to any message that makes me uncomfortable. I will show an adult right away. Oath by kids:

43. I will arrange to meet a friend I have made on the Internet ONLY if one of my parents has been informed and will be present. Oath by kids:

44. I will not send an insulting or rude message to anyone online. This is called "flaming" and it is not good Netiquette. Oath by kids:

45. I will not open e-mail, files, links, pictures or games from people that I don't know or trust. I will always ask an adult first. Oath by kids:

46. What you need to worry about: Email frauds : Emails that cheat you of huge sums of money by offering fantastic overseas financial schemes and promising great returns nasty or obscene emails People hacking into your account People publishing your personal details (name, photograph, telephone numbers) on dating or pornographic sites without your consent Identity theft: When people steal your personal information

47. THINGS YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT: Social engineering : When people trick you into revealing your password Downloading files or attachments that may have Trojans (destructive programs that masquerade as benign applications) Clicking on links that can pick up your personal details. Losing money while shopping online

48. Precautions you can take: Email security: Be careful where you post/submit your email id on public forums. Share it only with known people. Do not download attachments or files received through emails sent by unknown persons.

49. At a cyber café: Never surf from a cyber café if you are keying in any sensitive data. The computer may have a program running in the background that is storing all your information. Be careful of inquisitive surfers around. Always logout of all your messengers and any mailbox you have open, before you leave.

50. At home: Most companies regularly release patches for security holes in their software products. Always keep your operating systems and software you regularly use (like browsers, instant messengers, email programs, media players) updated by downloading these patches. Never click on links that say, 'download software' unless you are absolutely sure of the content. Never click on pop-ups that say, 'Click here for more information'

51. Better safe than sorry If you stick to the above principle, you can avoid most of the online dangers.