PC Advice

• Passwords:
• Don't use passwords that are words, phrases, or birth dates.
• Do use passwords that are keyboard patterns. For example, use a pattern around a starting letter , such as the pattern around this sample password: GhYu&8.
• Use a couple of variations for various accounts you hold: one for your CU NetID, a variation for your retirement and bank accounts, and a simple one for web-based accounts that don't have any sensitive information at all, etc...

• This site has helpful hints on making passwords hard to crack: SecurityAwareness.com .

• E-mail and e-mail attachments:
• Don't open attachments that have suffixes of .exe, .pcl, scr,.bat, .com, .zip, even if they look like they come from people you know.
• Configure your e-mail filter to send SPAM e-mails, identified with PMX:# in the subject by the CIT mail server, straight to the trash.
• Organize your e-mail with folders and use filters to keep your e-mail organized automatically.
  
  
• File management:
• Move files that need to be retained for long-term storage to specific directories located on the server intended for that type of file. It is your responsibility to identify those files and copy or move them. Learn more about electronic file retention .
• Use naming conventions and folders to avoid overwriting existing files and having to request files to be recovered from backup media.
  
  
• Help with applications:
• Use the built-in help features of common desktop applications, such as Word and Excel, to find out how to make use of advanced features.
• Learn more by taking tutorials .
  
  
• Network usage at home and at work:
• Protect your home machine with anti-virus software, including free software available from Cornell, and a firewall.