Safe Computing


Computer security is everyone’s business and as cyber criminals become more sophisticated in their methods, we have to become more vigilant.

College-owned computers and Saint Michael's College email are being scanned for incoming viruses and spam.   By following some of these simple practices you can reduce the risk of identity theft and infecting your personal computer.

Do’s

  • Delete suspicious mail without opening it.
  • If the email contains an attachment, save it first so that it’s scanned for a virus (don’t open it).
  • Keep your virus signatures up-to-date.
  • Beware of an e-mail message or file attachment from someone you don't know or that seems suspicious.
  • Use your SMC email so that the filters will be applied.   Our server is checking for, and removing, infected mail. 
  • Be alert to downloading files from the Web. Viruses may spread when files are being downloaded from the Web.  If you’re not expecting a file to download, you should not accept it.

Don’ts

  • Don’t click on links in AIM chats or in suspect email messages.
  • Don’t use the AutoPreview or Preview Pane for incoming messages; using these views is the same as if you opened the email.
  • Don’t open mail from an unknown sender. 
  • Never download, open an attachment, or click on anything from an unknown source.
  • Do NOT open mail from an unknown sender. 

Additionally, if you receive a note you are not expecting, and it has any of the following characteristics, it may contain a virus:

  • Spelling mistakes
  • Errors in the message
  • The sender has an obviously fake name or an anonymous handle, such as “secret admirer”
  • A URL that appears odd -- e.g. www.http:// rather than http://www. 
     

Protect your Personal Computer:

College computers receive Microsoft patches and updates automatically.  The College virus protection software, eTrust AntiVirus, automatically updates with new virus signatures as they are available.  You should have the same protection on your personal computer.

  1. Use and keep antivirus software up-to-date.  If you need antivirus software for your personal computer, AVG has a free version that works well and updates itself automatically.  You may obtain it by going to
    http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff
  2. Scan your computer for viruses.  You can scan at any time simply by starting you anti-virus program.
  3. Run your antispyware software on a regular basis.   If you need an antispyware program, Spybot Search & Destroy is free from the web and can be downloaded at http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html.  When you open Spybot, click on the “Search for updates” button.  This will keep your spyware tools current and looking for the latest invaders of your PC.  Click on the “Immunize” button regularly to keep spyware from recurring. 
  4. Be cautious when browsing the web. Downloads from web pages are another way to introduce viruses onto your computer. Program files and documents should always be saved to disk, virus checked and then if they appear to be safe, executed or opened. If a web site has been modified to attack your computer (as was done by the Nimda virus) the browser will pop up a window asking what you would like to do with the specified file (open, save or cancel). If you are visiting a web site are not expecting a file to be downloaded, you should cancel the operation.