Use the Internet Safely
If you clicked "allow" when prompted by the "Google Docs" app to connect to your Google account, you have been affected. If you didn't click the link, closed the tab, or clicked "deny" then your account is safe. If you have any question, please...Read more
Adware – software that displays advertisements; you may see popup ads or a small window or bar that displays ads in your browser.
Back door – a means of accessing your computer that bypasses computer security mechanisms.
Back up (...Read more
Verify that a web site you are visiting is who it claims to be. If you see green in the address bar in your browser, the web site has an Extended Validation (EV) Cert and it’s encrypted.
Cornell’s CUWebLogin page has an EV cert. To see an example visit any campus service that uses...Read more
Websites you visit can download and install software without your knowledge or approval. This is called a drive-by download . The objective is usually to install malware, which may:
Record what you type and what sites you visit. Search your computer for stored passwords...Read moreYou can learn information about web addresses (URLs) by looking at some of their components.
Finding the Important Parts of a Complex Address In a complicated address, like
http://cornell. astromundo.com / Lcons/small/emailchange/,
the real domain is...Read more
Just as the Internet makes it easy for you to find all sorts of information, you risk others finding out things about you that you don’t intend to be public.
As an experiment, search for your name in a search engine. You might be surprised at what appears. If you have a common name,...Read more
Companies use a variety of market research techniques to understand the needs and wants of consumers. Your privacy can be at risk when you participate in surveys, online communities, focus groups, and other types of market research.
To participate, you typically enter into an explicit...Read more
There is no guaranteed solution to prevent malware from invading your computer, since criminals spend a lot of time finding new and innovative ways to break down computer security defenses.
Tips for keeping bad programs off your computer Enhance your...Read moreWhen you’re online, be particularly wary if you are asked to install software—even if it appears fairly harmless.
Before downloading and installing any new software, always read the EULA, the legal statement that you agree to before you can install the software.
Try to assess...Read moreImprove the security of your web browser.
Set preferences to ensure software updating is enabled. Use the built-in browser security settings. Disable popups in your browser or install software that will prevent popup windows if your browser cannot block them. Popup windows can be used to...Read more