Top 10 security tips for safer computing:

  1. Regularly download security updates for your operating system.
  2. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and keep them up to date.
  3. Use hard-to-guess passwords and keep them private.
  4. Do not share access to your computer.
  5. Back up your computer regularly.
  6. Do not read email from unknown sources.
  7. Do not open email attachments unless you expect the attachment from someone you know and trust.
  8. Set your e-mail filters to delete or file spam messages.
  9. Install shareware or public-domain software only from known, trustworthy web sites.
  10. Contact technical support if you notice one of these signs that your computer has been infected.
     

10 signs that your computer might be infected:

  1. Nothing happens when you try to open a file or an email attachment.
  2. Opening files takes forever.
  3. Pop-ups constantly interrupt web surfing.
  4. You see frequent "Illegal Operations" warnings.
  5. There is excessive hard drive activity: the hard drive light blinks so often it seems to stay lit.
  6. The computer is much slower than usual.
  7. You try to go to Yahoo or Google, but your web browser goes to a different search engine.
  8. People complain that you have sent them email that you know you did not send.
  9. "Strange" icons appear on your desktop or on your task bar.
  10. You haven't applied the latest patches and service packs, or you are not running up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

If for any reason your computer has experienced any of these problems contact the ITS Service Desk and they will assist you.