IT departments face an unending battle against malicious software, especially in highly networked corporate environments. They’re defending attacks on proprietary data and overall threats to productivity. By developing good web habits, and being aware of how threats are introduced, you can help keep your dealership running smoothly. We’ve put together a short list of tips, but it’s most important that you follow your IT department’s policies and guidelines.
Web browsing
1.) Perform regular Windows and Anti-virus/Anti-SPAM updates. “Patch Tuesday” is when Microsoft generally releases security and other updates. It’s on the second Tuesday of each month.
2.) Use a current web browser. Ninety-percent of bad things happen via email or through your web browser. If you happen to notice new toolbars at the top of your browser, start seeing random pop-ups or alerts requesting you to install anti-virus software, it’s typically a sign of a malware infection.
3.) Only download files from trusted sites. It probably goes without saying, but don't visit adult, music sharing, cracks, serials, “warez” websites.
4.) Surf securely. Make sure “https” precedes the domain name and the “lock” icon appears on your browser when visiting secure sites that are requesting credit card or other personal information.
5.) Read and understand all pop-ups before clicking Agree/Ignore/OK. If possible, you should close any browser pop-ups using Alt-F4 or clicking the red “x” in the corner rather than selecting a button in the dialogue box. Contact your IT help desk immediately if you suspect anything, and before trying to diagnose or fix a problem yourself.
Email
6.) Use “strong” passwords. Strong passwords contain at least 8 characters, upper/lower case, numbers and special characters. Try to update your passwords at least every 6 months.
7.) Avoid requesting or sending usernames and passwords via email. Email is not secure, and if you must, you can send it in separate emails or call the recipient with either the username or password.
8.) Be wary of clicking on links in email even if you know the sender. Most viruses and phishing scams are spread via contacts so they’re generally from someone that may be in your address book. Be cautious of links, just because it appears to go to a certain site, it doesn't mean it will take you to that site.
9.) Be cautious of attachments. if you’re not expecting an email attachment and if the attachment is an executable (.exe) or script (.scr) file, do not open the file. Microsoft office files may sometimes contain macro viruses as well. Having an up-to-date anit-SPAM and anti-virus software should prevent most of these attachments from making it into your inbox.
10.) Keep it simple. For greatest security, disable HTML in your email and use plain text only. This will allow you to see the exact URL in the sender’s email.
For business owners, putting in place a network monitoring application to track irregularities in network or web traffic, resource utilization and unauthorized apps, may help curb the spread of viruses and malware. This will also allow you or your administrators to ensure each device on your network is up-to-date and prevent failures before they occur.
And finally, as with any type of defense, you’re only as strong as your weakest point. So keep in mind that your computer is a part of a greater network, and keeping it healthy is important for the entire organization. Happy surfing!
