Safeguard your computer and your identity!
Threats to the security of your computer and your personal and financial identity are rapidly increasing in today's networked environment. Failure to protect both can cost you considerable time and money. While Windows-based PCs have been popular targets, attacks on Macintosh computers do exist. And everyone is subject to "phishing" scams -- attempts to trick you into revealing personal and financial identity information.
It is essential (and required for connecting to BU's campus network) that you follow the steps below to protect your computer.
Follow these steps now to protect your computer
- For Windows-based PCs: Make sure you install the latest service pack and security patches by running Microsoft's Windows Update and enabling Windows Automatic Updates.
- For Windows and Macs: Install anti-virus software. BU has site-licensed McAfee VirusScan software for both PCs and Macs; download and install it for free. You may run other anti-virus software instead, but running this free version will save you from having to pay for annual maintenance contracts. More about viruses
- For Windows-based PCs: Install anti-spyware software (PCs only). Spyware is becoming as prevalent as viruses, and can be even more dangerous. You can download a free copy of McAfee's AntiSpyware at the download site mentioned in step 2, above, for McAfee VirusScan. If you run Windows XP, you should also download and install a free copy of Microsoft's Windows Defender, which provides continuing, real time protection against spyware and runs a full anti-spyware scan each day. (You can safely install both McAfee AntiSpyware and Windows Defender.) Windows Defender is built in as part of Microsoft's Vista OS. If your computer is already infected with spyware, you should also do an additional scan and cleanup, using the free version of Ad-Aware. More about spyware
| No one at
Boston University will ever ask you for your password in e-mail! Don't become a victim of identity theft. A wide variety of recent messages claim that BU will delete your account unless you respond and supply your password. These dangerous phishing scams are attempts to steal your identity. Responding to such scams gives away access to your account and personal information. If you receive suspicious e-mail asking you to reply or go to a website to provide information about your BU, Bank of America, eBay, PayPal, Chase Bank, or other account, don't do it! |
follow these recommendations to protect your identity
- Be skeptical of unexpected e-mail, even if it appears to be from a BU address or someone you know, and especially if it requests you to provide or verify personal or financial details or information about an account. "From" addresses are easy to fake. "Phishing" scams have become very sophisticated in their methods to get you to provide criminals with your financial and computer account information. These often appear to come from your bank, or services such as PayPal or eBay. They may say that they've observed suspicious activity on your account, and threaten to disable your access if you don't click on a link and provide verifying information about your account.
- Don't open unexpected e-mail attachments. They can infect your computer with a virus or spyware. They can install a keystroke logger on your system, allowing criminals to collect information about your online banking accounts, your passwords, and your credit card numbers. Clicking on a link to visit a malicious Web page can also install viruses, spyware, and keystroke loggers on your computer. More on identity theft
- Filter out spam. Spam is always annoying, but today's spam is also dangerous, because it often contains a virus, spyware, or a "phishing" exploit. You can protect yourself from many of these hazards by filtering spam.
Finally
- If you suspect your computer has a virus, follow these removal instructions.
- Protect against regular, old fashioned theft by registering your notebook computer with the BUPD.
Special requirements for connecting to ResNet
As part of the residence hall move-in process, all computers connecting to ResNet must be registered on the campus network -- a process known as "NetReg." Before any Windows-based PC can be connected to ResNet, it must successfully complete an automated scan, called BUVS, to verify that all current security patches are installed and no virus or spyware is present. (Macs cannot run BUVS.) Following the steps above should prepare your PC to pass this scan. We strongly recommend that you use these steps to safeguard your computer, regardless of whether you plan to connect to ResNet. Please note, however, that running BUVS outside of the NetReg context does not exempt you from the requirement of doing so again during NetReg -- it is simply one tool you can use to make sure the NetReg process will go as quickly as possible.
