Top 10 List of Good Computing Practices-Short Version

Home IT Security Awareness Top 10 List of Good Computing Practices-Short Version

Short version. For additional details, please see the full Top 10 List.

1. Use cryptic passwords that can't be easily guessed, and protect your passwords.


2. Be cautious when using the Internet.


3. Practice Safe Emailing.


4. Secure your area before leaving it unattended.


5. Secure laptop computers at all times: keep it with you or lock it up securely before you step away.


6. Shut down, lock, log off of, or put your computer to sleep before leaving it unattended, and make sure it requires a password to start up or wake-up.


7. Make sure your computer is protected with anti-virus and all necessary security "patches" and updates, and that you know what you need to do, if anything, to keep them current.


8. Don't keep sensitive information or your only copy of critical data, projects, files, etc. on portable devices (such as laptop computers, CDs/floppy disks, memory sticks, PDAs, data phones, etc.) unless they are properly protected. These items are extra vulnerable to theft or loss.


9. Don't install unknown or unsolicited programs on your computer.


10. Make backup copies of files or data you are not willing to lose -- and store the copies very securely.
    

Reporting computer security incidents...

...because sometimes it seems like you can do everything right and things still happen.

• Report any suspected compromise (hacking, unauthorized access, etc.) of computing systems or data to your supervisor and the ITS Support Center.
• Report lost or missing University computing equipment to your supervisor and the Campus Police (and to the local authorities if the incident occurred away from campus).

For questions relating to any of the information contained on this page, please contact itpolicy@ucsc.edu.

Rev. 1/28/08