Protect Your PC - Recap

• Handout: Securing your "Windows" PC (links are active in both)

• Presentation slides: "Are you uninsured . . . .?"

Are you afraid to install patches or virus scanning updates because your PC is working just fine and if it ain't broke, why fix it? The current spate of viruses, worms, and scams make that a very risky course. And keeping your machine up to date and safe may not be as difficult as you think.

Here's our three-step program for safer computing

Automatic update: Microsoft offers automatic patching to their operating systems. While older operating systems receive less support, it is there. If you're concerned about the stability of the patches, wait a day before downloading and installing. Any problems will usually be identified and corrected by then.

Virus software: UCLA offers Sophos anti-virus software free until 2007. Once installed, Sophos checks automatically for any updates. It is available from Software Central with instllation instructions.

Firewall: Firewalls are another way to control the kind of communication that takes place between your computer and the rest of the Internet, reducing your vulnerability to attack. The seminar slides detail how to choose between a hardware and software firewall.

Panel: Peter Kovaric (GSEIS), John Min (Housing & Hospitality Services), John Degolyer, (Office of Information Technology) Jeff Barnes (Administrative Information Systems), and Eddie Urenda (Bruin Online )