Easy Steps to Secure Your Computer

Step 1: Get Anti-Virus Software

You need up-to-date anti-virus software installed on your system at all times. Most new computers will come with McAfee or Norton already installed. Both can also be purchased from the UGA Bookstore and other bookstores around campus. Most anti-virus programs, including McAfee and Norton, require you to pay for a subscription to receive updates. Your anti-virus program will not offer you adequate protection after the subscription lapses.

Consequently, you should purchase a subscription that will protect you for the entire school year, OR you can download F-Secure anti-virus for free from UGA. Any student may download, use, and update F-Secure for free. This is a great solution for students who do not have anti-virus software or who have an expired subscription. Download F-Secure from the Anti-Virus @ UGA web page or our downloads page.

WARNING! Your computer may stop functioning properly if you install more than one anti-virus program. Windows users can follow these directions to remove an old anti-virus program: Click Start, go to Control Panel, and open Add/Remove Programs. Highlight the program and click the Remove button to uninstall it.

Step 2: Get Anti-Spyware Software

We suggest that any student who uses Microsoft Windows download and use anti-spyware software. Students using Macintosh OS or some other operating system can skip to the next step.

There are many free and effective anti-spyware solutions for you to use. We recommend that you download and use at least two of the following programs, because no single one will remove every last piece of spyware from your system.

AdAware Personal - Very simple to use and update. AdAware removes most spyware from your system. The free version, Personal, does not offer automatic updates or real-time protection. Still, this is an effective program that most can use easily.

Spybot-Search&Destroy - A very powerful anti-spyware tool that offers a nifty "Immunization" feature which will block many future spyware infections. Scheduled spyware scans are also very helpful. However, Spybot is a bit trickier to use and update than AdAware Personal.

Windows Defender (Beta) - This tool from Microsoft is arguably the most complete and powerful free spyware tool AND it is very easy to use. The program will automatically update itself with new spyware definitions, and it offers real-time protection from spyware--it catches infections as they occur. Currently in beta, it is unclear whether the final product will be free. Get it while it's hot!

Step 3: Configure For Automatic Updates

Any student using Microsoft Windows should set up his/her computer for automatic updates. Simply go to www.windowsupdate.com. Look at the box on the right-hand side of the web page. Click on the button that says "Turn on Automatic Updates" and pick a time to install updates. If the box on the right-hand side already says "Automatic Updates: Turned ON," then you are already set up for automatic updates. You may now occasionally see a yellow shield or a blue globe in your system tray next to the clock. Click on the icon whenever you see it to install updates.

Computers running Macintosh OS X are configured for automatic software updates by default. Your computer will check for software updates once a week. You can download these updates for free. Download the updates as they become available. You can manually check for software updates anytime by clicking the Apple and then clicking Software Update.

Step 4: Use a Firewall

A firewall allows your computer to connect to the Internet, but keeps others from connecting to you without your permission. It is a good idea to use a hardware or software firewall to protect your computer. F-Secure, McAfee, Norton, and other anti-virus programs often come with an advanced software firewall called an intrusion protection system. If you have one of these anti-virus programs installed, then you should be adequately protected.

Macintosh OS X, Windows XP, and Windows 2000 all have a software firewall built in that can help protect you even without anti-virus software.

Step 5: Use Strong Passwords

Students using Microsoft Windows need to use strong system passwords. Attackers or viruses can easily guess blank or weak system passwords and gain access to your computer. Never leave your password blank when you set up your computer. Instead, select a strong password for your computer with a mix of both capital and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters like # or $. The example password "goD@WGs!" demonstrates a good mix of characters in a strong password.

If you have a blank computer password or would like to change your current password, follow these directions.
Windows XP: click on Start, Control Panel, and User Accounts. Select an account and click Change my password.
Windows 2000: press ctrl + alt + delete. You should see the Windows Security window and the Change Password button. Click the button to change your password.