Security
College Computer Safety 101
By Jennifer Martinez
These days getting your older kids
ready to head to college involves more than shopping for dorm decor. Colleges
are more connected than ever, and computers are at the core of student life.
But what many parents don't know is that tech savvy students are also prime
targets for computer theft and Internet attacks.
Let's face it, young adults can be
lax about security (among other things), and campuses have long been breeding
grounds for computer viruses and other Internet threats. Colleges are also full
of pranksters, petty thieves, and unreliable roommates.
So before you drop your college kids
off for another year of fun and higher learning, it's a smart idea to make sure
they have all the information and tools they need to protect their data,
property, and privacy. Here's how to prep your college-bound kids for a lesson
in computer security.
Lesson 1: Label it and lock it
Put an indelible label on every piece of computer equipment,
from laptops to monitors to printers, with your child's name, contact
information, and product serial number. Not only does a label discourage theft
and black market resale, but it can also be used to identify recovered items.
Consider buying laptop and desktop
cable locks. Like a bike lock, these devices secure computers to a desk, table,
or whatever solid object is available. They make it much more difficult for
thieves to simply walk away with expensive equipment.
Finally, don't underestimate the
power of password protection. Passwords -- at both the operating system and
file levels -- are the virtual equivalent of locks. Should someone steal a
computer, it makes it difficult to access the hard drive's contents. Plus, they
operate as a deterrent to that curious roommate or the snoopy lurker who's just
waiting for someone to head to the rest room and leave a laptop behind.
Lesson 2: Consider insurance
Fortunately, computer equipment is replaceable, and with the
right insurance you may get reimbursed for replacement costs. It's possible
your homeowners policy already extends to household members using computers
away from home. If it doesn't appear to cover such losses, talk with your agent
about adding extra coverage.
Lesson 3: Always back up data
Unlike computers, information is not easily replaced.
Imagine all the term papers, class outlines, and presentations that accumulate
on a student's computer. Now imagine losing one of those items just before
final exams or an important deadline. Talk about a major stressor. That's why
backups are crucial.
If they don't have one already, your
kids need to set up regular backup schedules, saving all critical materials to
a separate medium such as a CD, external hard-drive or online server. These
small investments will be more than worth it if the unthinkable occurs, like
when that laptop goes down the night before a final.
Lesson 4: Get protection
With large, high-traffic networks, schools are ripe for
Internet attacks. Worms
and viruses can spread quickly, and email boxes can fill up with annoying, and
sometimes dangerous, spam. Students also tend to download a lot of freeware, a
common source of unwanted spyware and adware. Plus, there's always the threat
of some joy riding computer science student -- or even a professional
cybercriminal -- hacking into computers on the campus network.
To keep these potential attacks at
bay, students need protection beyond what their college network might provide.
At the very least, they need a personal firewall, an updateable virus solution,
a spam filter, and some sort of spyware protection.
Lesson 5: Work and play with caution
Caution and Internet savvy are perhaps the best defense
against loss. When using the Internet, students need to be wary of sharing
files, downloading free games, and responding to unsolicited emails or IMs.
They need to take extra precautions when logging into hotspots, and as they
open their own bank and charge card accounts, they need to learn how to bank
and shop safely online.
