Tech Notes

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), and the theme at Rice this year is “Secure Your Systems.” The Information Technology Security Office is promoting NCSAM for computer systems at both work and home. The three basic steps for safe computing techniques are similar for all computer owners and users: change passwords more than once each year, run antivirus software and apply security patches.

Home users should take precautions to secure not just their home computers, but their home networks as well. Many people now have wireless networks in their homes. These can be secured to prevent both malicious attacks and access by neighbors. Simple things like disabling the SSID (the name you see when you browse wireless devices) and changing the default passwords on the wireless access points can enhance the security of your home environment.

For more tips on securing your computers, wireless devices and other systems, visit <www.rice.edu/it/NCSAM06.html>.

—Tech Notes are contributed by Carlyn Chatfield, Web coordinator for Information Technology’s Enterprise Applications.