The Division of Information Technology works hard each and every day to maintain, secure, and protect the University’s IT infrastructure, but we can’t do this alone. It takes all of us to be vigilant to protect our technological resources.
We want to help you stay protected not just within the Barry University community, but at home too! DoIT’s Information Security Office presents the Home Computer Protection Kit. The kit provides free resources on the topics below to help you at home and on your personal devices.
- Anti-Malware
- Anti-Virus
- 3rd Party Patching
- Safe Web Browsing
- Operating System Cleaning Tool
Anti-malware is a type of software program designed to prevent, detect, and remediate malicious programming on individual computing devices.
- HerdProtect (Windows PC only) is a second line of defense malware scanning platform. They offer a free downloadable version to a PC or a free downloadable portable version (they have stopped distributing the software, but expect to have new released available soon).
- Avast provides a free and subscription based (less than $20 a year) antivirus, anti-spyware and anti-rootkit package for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices
2. Anti-Virus
Everyone needs a good trusted anti-virus software program to help detect and destroy computer viruses and other malicious software like worms, adware, trojans and more.
- Avast provides a free and subscription based (less than $20 a year) antivirus, antispyware and anti rootkit package for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
On personal computers or devices, a third party patching software can help prevent security holes and keep applications updated.
- Flexera Software PSI (formerly Secunia PSI) is a free computer security solution that identifies vulnerabilities in non-Microsoft (third party) programs. It is available for computers with Windows OS and Android devices.
Make sure you receive Critical Updates automatically
- Windows (instructions for Windows 10, 8.x and 7)
- Mac OS Critical Updates: To keep your Mac OS and App Store applications up-to-date
- Open System Preferences
- Choose App Store
- Check the following items and automatically check for updates:
- Download newly available updates in the background
- Install app updates
- Install system data files and security updates
4. Safe Web Browsing
Websites that seem trustworthy may have spyware or may even be counterfeit. You may not know that you are visiting websites that cause harm to your computer or device.
Web of Trust protects you against scams, untrustworthy links and rogue web stores. It is a free, downloadable add-on for your browser (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari).
Just like cleaning out your closet at home, an operating system (os) cleaning tool or disk cleanup tool can help free up needed hard drive space on your computer.
Ccleaner is a free download for Windows and Apple operating systems helping to protect your privacy online and make your computer faster and more secure.
Any questions, suggestions, comments about these security tools please contact the Information Security Office iso@barry.edu