System+Security+&+Protection

=__**System Security & Protection**__= media type="custom" key="6291141" width="280" height="280"

__Cleaning and Care for your Computer__
Dust is the one of the top physical threats to a computer. Dust collects along circuit boards, clogs fans and vents, and can potentially bring an early demise to computers. Cleaning the outside of a computer is important, but cleaning the inside of the computer is also paramount to keeping it functioning properly.
 * UNPLUG the CPU anytime you work on the machine to avoid shock or static discharges
 * Use air duster to spray dust collections out of the CPU
 * Never use water
 * To wipe, use only products designed to clean electronics
 * Another good purchase is monitor wipes to keep your monitor clear of dust


 * Best Practices**
 * 1) Plug everything into a surge protector
 * 2) No eating or drinking near computers
 * 3) Shut down the computer periodically
 * 4) Keep wiring neat and easily accessible
 * 5) Use disk utility or drive defragmentation once in a while to repair hard drives

__**Securing your Computer**__
Many different virtual and physical threats exist that can put your computer and your personal information at risk. There are countermeasures and methods to protect computers and networks from such threats.


 * ===**Threat**=== || ===**Definition**=== || ===**Countermeasure**=== ||
 * Unauthorized Access || When an outsider attempts to penetrate a workstation or network for the goal of causing mischief, vandalism, theft, privacy invasion, espionage, or other illegal activity. || Firewall, Router ||
 * Virus || A computer program that copies itself. A high percentage have been identified as being malware; a program that infects a computer and causes damage. || Anti-Virus Software ||
 * Spyware || is a type of [|malware] that is installed on [|computers] and collects little bits of information at a time about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. || Anti-Spyware Software ||
 * Worm || is a self-replicating, stand-alone application that spreads from computer to computer. It can be very hard to detect and may cause harm to a network. They replicate fast and waste a great deal of bandwidth. || Some Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware programs include Worm protection. ||


 * ===Term=== || ===Definition=== ||
 * Firewall || a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to a private network. Some types of firewall techniques include: a) packet filter, b) application gateway, c) proxy server, and d) circuit level gateway. Many firewalls utilize at least 2 of these techniques for protection. ||
 * Anti-Spyware Software || software that actively scans or prevents access to spying software ||
 * Anti-Virus Software || software that actively scans or prevents virus or worm infiltration. ||



Resources:

Information retrieved 6.04.2010 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_worm

School is in: 7 Security Tips for Students- www.microsoft.com/protect/family/guidelines/students.mspx

General Care of Computers- http://www.sfsu.edu/~tgaines/education/students/care.htm

Computer Security Threats- http://caci.com/business/ia/threats.html

Antispyware Software- Protect Your Computer With Windows Defender- http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/basics/antispyware.mspx

What is a Firewall?- http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/f/firewall.html

Spyware- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antispyware Top Ten Security Threats- http://www.hipaadvisory.com/tech/TopTenSecurityRisks.htm