Step 8 - Computer Security

Image representing computer security
Secure your computer and your network

Secure your computer and your network to to reduce the risk of a data breach, theft, hack or misuse. Incorporate the following practices into your everyday routine as well as workplace procedures and policy. Encourage others to do so as well.

Beginner
  1. Use strong passwords
  2. Encrypt your computer’s hard drive
  3. Avoid unsecure wifi. If it is available, Eduroam is a better option than free public or cafe hotspots/networks/wifi.
How to create strong passwords
  • Make your password unique for each of your important accounts
  • Make your password longer - at least 12 characters long. 14 or more characters is stronger
  • Create a phrase password, a line from a song, or something else you can remember, incorporating a combination of numbers, letters, lowercase letters and symbols, e.g. HavEY0urse1FAMerrY## or S1nt1sC0mingT0T0wn!
  • Do not incorporate personal information into your password. For example, the name of a child, pet, important birthdays, details from your address
  • Find out if your email address has been compromised here
Encrypt your hard drive
  • Hard drive encryption converts a physical drive into an unreadable format that cannot be unlocked without the secret key or password that was used to encrypt it. Encryption prevents unauthorized people or hackers from accessing the information on the hard drive.
  • Encryption support from Griffith University
  • Win 10 Encryption
  • Win 7 Encryption
  • Mac OS
Intermediate
  1. Use a password manager
  2. Enable multifactor authentication (MFA)
Advanced
  1. Is your lab/office encrypted? Note: The boss’s computer is usually the most insecure . Organise for the whole team’s computers to be encrypted.
  2. Use a VPN (Virtual private network) whenever you’re not at work
  3. Keep your operating system and products up to date (especially your web browsers)

 

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