IT Security Topic — Updating

Is Your Computer a Little Dated?

Is your computer a little dated? That's exactly what hackers like to hear! Keeping the operating system and software on your personal computer up-to-date is an important step to ensure safer computing. Even newly purchased computers may need several steps of updating before being ready to be used. Downloading the most current patches for your computer now can reduce the amount of vulnerabilities you may experience in the future.

If you allow the software on your systems to become out of date, you become more vulnerable to attacks. ITS urges everyone in the campus community to ensure their computers are updated at all times. The process to update the computer may take 10 minutes or longer depending on how long it takes to download the software. It is strongly encouraged for you to take this effort to protect your computer so that an attacker or virus does not compromise it. It is recommended that Windows Update be run once a week to make sure your computer is updated. Instructions on how to use the Microsoft Windows Update Service.

Also, setting up the auto-updates option on your computer is highly recommended in the fight to protect your operating system. Microsoft Windows can automatically check for and download updates for you. When updates are downloaded and ready to install, Windows will notify you. Instructions on how to set up auto-updates. CU reserves the right to deny or revoke network access if your computer is compromised or found to be vulnerable.

Do not forget to patch other software.  Any software you have installed on your computer can have vulnerabilities and should be patched.  Some software (like Adobe Acrobat Reader or the Mozilla/Firefox web browser) will check automatically but others (many chat clients or peer-to-peer software) require that you download a new version of the software.

In addition to keeping your operating system up-to-date, antivirus software is an important part of keeping your computer safe. Antivirus vendors, including Computer Associates, Symantec, Trend, and MacAfee have the most current updates and notifications for your operating system. CUantivirus, the eTrust program from Computer Associates that ITS has provided to the campus is available at www.colorado.edu/its/security/antivirus. Every operating system, whether it be Windows based or not, must have current anti-virus software that receives updates daily.

It is also important to have one or more pieces of anti-spyware software installed on your computer. At CU-Boulder, spyware now accounts for more than 30 percent of the 60,000 plus customer calls the IT Service Center receives each year. There are a number of low cost and free solutions on the market currently, and many more under development by software companies such as Microsoft and popular antivirus vendors. CERT recommends that you first run a full scan on your computer with your antivirus software. Some antivirus software will find and remove spyware, but it may not find the spyware when it is monitoring your computer in real time. Make sure to run a legitimate product specifically designed to remove spyware.  Many vendors offer products hat will scan your computer for spyware and remove any it finds. However, many security experts recommend that you run a few of these products, as none currently find all of the spyware typically infecting your computer. ITS recommends you use Microsoft AntiSpyware software, available at no cost. Fore more information about anti-spyware solutions, please visit www.colorado.edu/its/security/antispyware.

Contact Information
Campus IT Security Office
(303) 735-HELP
security@colorado.edu