General
- Never click on pop-up advertisements.
- Never click on pop-up spyware warnings. These are not legitimate warnings.
- Research before you believe and send. If you receive an email from a friend or colleague warning of a new virus, take a moment to look at one or two anti-virus web sites to determine if it is accurate. Two reliable sites are Symantec's and Trend Micro. If you aren't sure, contact the OTS Call Center who can work to validate the claim.
- No legitimate company or department will initiate contact with you to ask for your account password. Keep in mind that while some places may request your password to access your account for purposes of troubleshooting an account problem, they will never do so by initiating the email.
- Keep your computer current on software and operating system updates. Windows workstations connected to the UBalt Domain (CIS) are configured to receive critical Windows updates and antivirus updates. (Contact the OTS Call Center if you would like your computer checked for non-critical, Microsoft software updates.) Home users should visit the Windows Update web site on a weekly basis or configure their computers to update automatically. (Microsoft article: Configure the Automatic Updates Feature.)
- Make sure your antivirus software is active and current.
- Assess the security of your personal computer.
- Personal firewall software is designed to protect your computer from unauthorized access to your computer or from your computer. Windows operating systems come with a built-in firewall. You may consider obtaining other firewall software such as that from ZoneAlarm or Symantec.
- Anti-spyware software helps to reduce the amount of spyware your computer receive or remove spyware from your computer. Some antivirus programs include spyware protection. You may consider obtaining anti-spyware/ad-aware specific programs such as Lavasoft's Ad-aware or Trend Micro's online scan.
Tips for UBalt
- When finished using a computer in a lab or classroom, log off of the computer.
- When stepping away from your office computer, lock the computer. (Press the CTRL-ALT-DEL keys simultaneously then select Lock Computer.)
- Take all personal belongings with you when stepping away from a public space. Even if you're stepping out to use the restroom, make sure to take all valuables with you, especially laptops.
- When logged into the Portal or PeopleSoft, make sure to either log off of the site or lock your computer when stepping away from the computer.
- Consider changing settings for Outlook to prompt your for additional authentication when using your office computer. Once you log into your office computer, your UBalt email account is accessible by default. Outlook can be configured to prompt for your password before launching.
- If you are unsure about the validity or origin of an email, contact the OTS Call Center for assistance.
Articles and sources are referenced for the reader's convenience. Inclusion on this page does not indicate OTS support for any products mentioned or advertised.