How to use a computer safely Tips and Tricks. Dr. Pierre Darmon

Transcription

1 How to use a computer safely Tips and Tricks Dr. Pierre Darmon

2 2 Agenda Routers Software firewall Wireless encryption Antivirus Backups Windows updates Application updates OS X updates Passwords User accounts Computer health

3 Quick Survey 3 Who is using Windows XP? Apr 08, 2014 Windows Vista? Apr 11, 2017 Windows 7 SP1? Jan 01, 2020 Windows 8.1? Jan 10, 2023 Windows 10? Oct 14, 2025 OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or earlier? Unpublished OS X (Yosemite)? Unpublished OS X (El Capitan)? Unpublished Linux (any flavor)? Depends

4 Routers 4

5 Router functions Non technical Network isolation Network strip (power strip) WIFI access Traffic cop (for specific applications) Technical Firewall, NAT, DNS relay, DHCP server Switch WAP with security Port redirection 5

6 6 Image credit: cs odessa

7 Software Firewall (vs. router) An absolute MUST have for mobile computers XP FW is not so great (barely configurable) Win7 FW is fine (flexible, configurable) Win8 FW is better Win10 FW is even better OS X Please turn it on!!! Protects from unwanted outgoing connections 7

8 Wireless Encryption An absolute MUST have at home Protects home network Security mode: WPA or WPA2 WEP40 or WEP128 Cypher type: TKIP and/or AES 8

9 Antivirus / Antispam 9 An absolute MUST have Keep it up-to-date automatically as often as possible (daily or better) Plenty of free MSE/Defender, Avast, AVG, MalwareByte AntiMalware, Spybot Search & Destroy Plenty of not free Norton/Symantec, McAfee, BitDefender, Kaspersky, TrendMicro, MalwareByte AntiMalware

10 Backups 10 Why backup? user error malware (virus, hacking) hard disk failure / hardware failure theft natural disaster (fire, flood) MUST be automated.. or else... Only as good as its restore mechanism An untested backup is NOT a backup

11 Windows Updates 11 Win 7, 8, 8.1 Come every 2 nd Tuesday of each month (Patch Tuesday) Important updates: apply asap Optional updates: consider them all Win10 Avoid hardware related updates (drivers) Come whenever MS feel like it Drivers Obtain from hardware manufacturer s OWN web site

12 Application Updates 12 Just as important as Windows Updates Security updates Examples of apps to keep current Firefox, (Internet Explorer, Edge,) Chrome, (Safari,) Adobe Reader Adobe Flash Player, Shockwave Player, MS Office, OpenOffice, LibreOffice itunes Java (ahem) (Java Javascript) Secunia PSI

13 OS X Updates Come Whenever Apple feels like it OS updates apply asap Application updates apply asap OS X upgrade (not update) Do NOT rush 13

14 Security Quiz Test your security savvyness at: 14 questions Score >= 12: you are relatively safe on the internet Score <= 11: you need help 14

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19 Passwords Do NOT use dictionary words Do NOT substitute o-0, i-1, e-3, Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters!@#$%^&*()-_=+[{]}\ ;: <>?,./ (including space) Make use of mixed case in passwords Change your passwords every 6 months Don t use the same password for your and your bank Use Firefox with a master password Can search for sites and reveal passwords 19 Atlantic Monthly article "Hacked! from 2011 (google for hacked atlantic )

20 User Accounts 2 types of accounts administrator standard user Use admin account for program installs Use standard account for everyday use 20 Valid for PC and Mac

21 Computer Health Use your PC/laptop manufacturer s application to test the hardware Monthly Remember: hard disks DO fail 21

22 Thank you!!! 25