Computer Clean Up and Safety Suggestions

• Ensure that you have an up-to-date antivirus solution. We recommend Symantec/Norton AntiVirus. This can be purchased in the Bookstore at a good price. If you live on campus, we require the installation of Symantec AntiVirus that will automatically update itself. This is provided at no cost. For more information see www.uccs.edu/helpdesk/antivirus.htm
• Configure your computer to automatically install operating system updates. Microsoft and Apple provide security patches that protect your system. See the instructions at Updating Microsoft Windows at www.uccs.edu/~helpdesk/winupdate.htm and Apple Macintosh at www.uccs.edu/helpdesk/macupdate.htm.
• We also recommend that everybody have one or two anti-spyware applications installed on their computer if it's not included in the anti-virus software. Many of the best offerings of these can be downloaded for free. More information and links to download can be found at www.uccs.edu/helpdesk/antispy.htm. Ensure that this software is up to date, and run it once a week to clean out small threats before they become big problems.
• Do not use file sharing software such as Ares, Kazaa, Morpheus, BearShare, Grokster, iMesh, LimeWire, or WinMX. These programs install harmful and potentially dangerous programs secretly and alongside the main program. Files downloaded also may contain viruses or other malicious software.
• The most important thing that you can do to prevent malicious software from being installed is to read web pages carefully, and don't click on anything that you are not absolutely sure is trustworthy. Never open email attachments if you don't know the sender. Even if you know the sender, use common sense to decide if s/he would send the attachment. The sender's computer may be infected.
• Turn off your computer when it's not in use if you're connected to broadband such as Adelphia cable, Qwest DSL, or the dorms. High-speed connections are always "on" with increases the vulnerability of the computer.