Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

The OIT team strongly recommends that everyone be vigilant in protecting their computers, the data on them, and the SFS-Q network. By following some simple precautions, you can protect your system and data. This can save time, money, and allow for uninterrupted access to your computer, documents, and network resources.Please review the Georgetown University Security website for additional information.

Below you will find 7 basic guidelines that you can do to practice safe computing:

1. Continued use of antivirus software
2. Maintain settings for Windows updates
3. Use a strong password
4. Only install reputable or licensed software
5. Check the source of your e-mail; be careful with e-mail attachments
6. Avoid disreputable websites
7. Lock the screen or logout when away, shutdown the machine when not in use

1. Continued use of AntiVirus Software for Daily LiveUpdates

When you receive your computer, it will be configured to automatically update your antivirus software.

Georgetown University has a license for all University-owned and issued computers to have Symantec AntiVirus software installed on the computers.

You can tell if you have this software installed if the Symantec shield is in the Windows System Tray, located at the bottom right corner of your screen, by the clock.

If you do not have AntiVirus software installed on your computer, please contact the Information Technology office at sfsqhelp@georgetown.edu.

2. Maintain Settings for Windows Update

Your University-issued computer will be configured to automatically download and install all operating system updates.

You should always back up all important files:

• How to Use Windows XP: Backing Up Your Files
• For Faculty & Staff: Using GUQShare

3. Use Strong Passwords

Setting a strong password on ALL your accounts makes it more difficult for an attacker to gain access to your computer or resources.  See Georgetown University's password guidelines for more information about selecting a strong password.

4. Only Install Software from a Reputable Company, or use Georgetown University Licensed Software

You should be aware that many free software packages on the web install spyware (software that reports back web surfing habits and other personal information), adware (software that creates pop-up ads based on what web sites you visit or just periodically creates a spontaneous pop-up), or even Trojans (short for Trojan horse, a type of software that install remote control or remote attacking software on your machine without your explicit knowledge). 

Many P2P (Peer-to-Peer) technologies (such as LimeWire) install a third-party program that may use computer processor time and disk space for purposes other than running the program you installed. If you are unsure about a program, you can usually find out more at safer-networking.org, or by Googling "program spyware adware" to see what others are saying about the program.  Most reputable software is available on CD from the vendor.

5. Check the Source of your E-mail, Delete Spam, and Be Careful with E-mail Attachments

Spam, spam, spam, spam!  More than ever, people receive spam e-mail, chain letters, and viruses through e-mail.  You can prevent the spread of infection by following a few simple steps:

• If a mail message seems suspicious, it probably is.  If you expect your friend Dave to send a message with the subject "I Love You!" then it wouldn't be suspicious.  If that isn't like Dave, you may want to call and ask if he sent the message, or simply delete it.
• If you don't know the sender, the subject line may seem suspicious too, so just delete it.
• If you are curious about a message, but you think it might be spam, view the message in GUWebmail. If the message is spam, delete it immediately and don't view or download attachments.
• If you think you may have a message that has a virus, delete it.
• If you receive an attachment that seems suspicious, check with the sender.  If the sender did not send it, delete it.
• If you are unsure about an attachment but you think it is legitimate, update your virus scanner and save the attachment to your hard drive. The virus scanner will automatically scan the file to see if it contains a virus.
• If you receive a message that asks you to visit a URL, use extreme caution. Many URLs can point to a different web site designed to steal personal information.
• Check the source header of the e-mail to verify where the e-mail came from, and verify the web site address is correct, or type in the address manually.
• Many e-mails with URLs are spam that will load pornographic web sites. The sender is usually unknown, so they should be fairly easy to spot and delete.
• Don't forward chain letters. They may contain viruses or web bugs.

6. Avoid Disreputable Websites

Some website may contain scripts that can attack or get information from your computer. Some dishonest operators run look-alike web sites that may pretend to be well known companies like eBay or PayPal. Always check the website address closely when asked for personal or financial information and if in doubt, navigate to the known company address yourself. Become familiar with cookie settings and other browser security settings.

7. Lock the screen or logout when away and shutdown the computer when not in use

Protect your computer by locking it or shutting down when you leave. An attacker can gain access to the network, change your password, change files, or even send e-mail as you.  An attacker who has compromised your computer can use it to attack other computers on the network, too. 

If your computer is in an unsecured area, you should get in the habit of locking the screen when you step away. 

• Lock the screen by holding down the Windows Logo key and pressing the 'L' key on your keyboard, or by pressing the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys and then selecting Lock Screen. 

If you are finished working on the computer for a while (or are finished for the day), you should logout or Shutdown the computer.  An attacker cannot attack or use your computer when it is off, so plan on shutting down your computer when you leave.

• GUWebMail login
• Student Access+
• Blackboard login
• University Directory
• Information Security