Computer security in the news
We've all heard the news stories about corporations and
universities experiencing data breaches which expose personal
data to hackers which could ultimately be used to commit identity
theft and fraud. This and future articles will describe how you
can help to make computers and data at University of Hartford
more secure.
Reduce your exposure - turn off
your computer when you're away
This week's tip is simple: Simply
shut down your computer when you're away, whether going
home for the night or the weekend. If you're a student, consider
shutting your computer down any time you're away from your dorm
room. Unless you need to access your computer remotely from
another location, there is no need for it to be on when you're
not around. The logic is simple -- when your computer is turned
off, viruses and attackers on the Internet cannot attempt to
break into it.
Reducing the "attack surface"
Shutting down your computer when you're not using it is
just one way to "reduce the attack surface." That is,
regardless of how up-to-date your operating system or antivirus
software is, your computer is continually being probed by worms
and hackers on the Internet looking for some way to
break into it. Most of us use our computers less than 1/3rd of
the time, so why make it available to the "bad guys" all
of the time? By shutting your computer down when not in use,
you can significantly reduce the amount of time that the bad guys
have to attack it -- you are making yourself a smaller target --
you are reducing the attack surface.
But isn't it better for the
computer to leave it on?
Time was (before the Internet existed), many would
recommend leaving a computer and its monitor turned on 24 hours
per day in order to avoid "stressing" the computer by
turning it off and on. There were many theories as to why it was
better leave the machine on (and some were not without merit),
including that it was better to leave it going than to hit it
with a power surge when turning it on every day. It was
also said to be better to leave the monitor on and warmed-up than
to keep turning it on and off, warming it up and cooling it off,
which could cause internal stresses that could shorten the
monitor's life. This is no longer the case. Today's
computers are far less susceptible to either of these
predicaments due to newer technology. For example, most of today's
computers no longer have that loud "snappy" mechanical
power switch that "shocks" the computer into action.
Most computers now continuously sip a tiny amount of power (even
when they're off), and have a small pushbutton switch that
instructs the power supply to "gently" bring on "full"
power when you press it. Most monitors are now the flat LCD type
that no longer uses a hot filament to produce a picture -- they
use a much cooler fluorescent light. Indeed, that light has a
limited lifespan in terms of run-hours, and turning it off
whenever possible makes the monitor last longer. That is, a
monitor that is turned off 2/3rds of the time will last 3 times
longer! (Note: Using a "screensaver" does NOT extend
the life of the newer flat LCD monitors!)
Where to get help
If you need help shutting down your computer, contact
the Computer Support Line at x5999.