College of Built Environments at the University of Washington.

BE Image

How to Keep Your System Clean & Secure

Computers connected to the UW network (including those at BE) experience frequent daily hacking attempts. If you connect to the network and are not up-to-date on both patches and anti-virus software, you can expect to be infected and/or hacked. This can lead to your private data being stolen or destroyed. Don't wait to learn the hard way.

Here are some simple steps to keep your computer system secure, virus free and healthy. Also see the the UW's page on recommendations for secure computing.

  1. Install Antivirus Software and keep your virus definitions up-to-date
  2. Apply Critical Updates regularly (Windows)
  3. Turn File and Printer Sharing off (Windows)
  4. Use a Firewall
  5. Apply MS Office patches
  6. Be Mindfull of the applications that you install to your system
  7. Defragment (Defrag) and Scan Disk your hard drive
  8. Clean out your temp files
  9. Back up your data.
  1. Install Antivirus Software and keep your virus definitions up-to-date
    • Anti-Virus software protects you from various kinds of spreadable computer vulnerablities.
    How to Do This:
    • The University has a site license for antivirus software for Windows and Macintosh computers. While all computers set up by the BE computing office already have this antivirus software installed, you may (well, really you should) download and install this software on your own computer.

      VirusScan - antivirus software for Windows and Macintosh computers (search using the By Title section).

    • Run a full system wide virus scan at least once a month.
    • More information about Antivirus Software here.

  2. Apply Critical Updates regularly (Windows)
    • Windows Update is a online tool designed to help your Windows computer continue to work better and run better.
    • At the Windows Update website you will find the Product Updates page which is a catalog of patches, fixes, updates, and enhancements to Windows and many programs that work with Windows.
    How to Do This:
    • Set your system to automatically download and install critical updates.
    • This is done by: From the start menu, select settings, control panel.
    • In the control panel double click on the 'Automatic Updates' icon. In the Automatic Updates window make sure the 'Keep my computer up to date' check box is checked.
    • Finally check the button below that best fits your computer's usage.
    • You can also download the patchs individually to manually install. The UW provides links for various operating systems.

  3. Turn File and Printer Sharing off (Windows)
    • Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP allows files and printers to be shared to other Windows users via a network. Unfortunately, these features may make your computer vulnerable to compromises or otherwise damage your machine. For this reason, we recommend you do not use Windows File and Printer Sharing.
    • Note that even a read-only share can be dangerous. Sharing your C:\WINDOWS directory read-only would allow a remote attacker to view your saved password files and possibly other sensitive information. If you must share files (and we strongly recommend you don't), make sure you have a password on the share and that the share is read-only .
    How to Do This:
    • Click on the Start button and then select Settings >Control Panel.
    • Double-click on the Network Dial-Up Connections icon.
    • Right-click on Local Area Connection and select Properties.
    • Select File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.
    • Click the Uninstall button.
    • Click Yes in the window that appears.
    • Click Close.
    • Restart your computer.

  4. Use a Firewall
    • A firewall is software that allows you to control access from outside network resources, meaning other computers connected to the Internet.
    • Use of a firewall allows you to control access to your computer. It also gives you the final word on other software and on your system's ability to connect to the Net.
    • For more information see the UW Computing Security Page

  5. Apply MS Office patches
    • Due to Microsoft Office software integration into the operating system this software can be a source of security vulnerablity.
    • Microsoft provides patches to protect against these vulnerablities as they be come available through the Office Update site.
    How to Do This:

  6. Be Mindfull of the applications that you install to your system
    • Many freeware/shareware applications install spyware and trojans on your system that can cause harm or compromise the security of your computer.
    • Be extra cautious of using P2P/File Sharing applications. These applications frequently include spyware and also open up your system to being accessed by anyone.

  7. Defragment (Defrag) and Scan Disk your hard drive
    • Scandisk and Defrag are important utilities that come with Windows, to help you tune up your Windows filesystem and make sure it's running properly. Scandisk checks your drive to make sure there aren't any problems with it, and Defrag organizes your filesystem to help Windows read files faster.
    How to Do This:
    • Defragment (Windows): From the start menu > programs > accessories > system tools > Disk Defragmentor.
    • Defragment (Macintosh): The system takes care of most defragmentation automatically.
    • Scan Disk (Windows) Right click on the start menu > select explore. Right click on the disk you wish to check > select properties. Select the tools tab and click on the error-checking "check now" button.
    • Verify Disk (Macintosh): Go to Applications/Utilities and open the Disk Utility application. Click on your drive name and select Verify Disk/li>

  8. Clean out your temp files
    • If you experience problems like long waits while your computer boots up, or long waits in calling up web pages, you may need to clear your temp files folder and memory cache. Performing this task after you install a program or when you go online can save you lots of waiting time.
    How to Do This:
    • For Windows:
      • Click on the Start button, then click on Find and choose "Files or Folders."  This will bring up the "Find All Files" box.
      • In the white box next to "Named:" type in *.tmp
      • Make sure the box next to "Look In" says "My Computer" or "C:" - if it does not, click the arrow next to it and choose either "My Computer"  or "C:" Click "Find Now."
      • After the .tmp files are found, click on "Edit" and then on "Select All."   This will hightlight all of the .tmp files. Click on "Edit" and choose "Delete."
      • If you get a message saying you cannot delete one or more of the files, do not worry.  Windows will not allow you to delete anything it still needs.
    • Netscape Communicator:
      • Go to edit, then preferences. Click on Navigator, then at the bottom of that page, click clear history.
      • Click the Cache tab, then click the "Clear Memory Cache Now" button, and all the old files which are stored there are cleared.
      • To clear these files off of your hard drive, click "Clear Disk Cache Now." The default setting for the memory cache should be set at 600, with the disk cache set at 5000, for maximum performance.
    • Internet Explorer:
      • Go to Tools, Internet Options
      • On the General tab, in the Temporary Internet files section press "Delete Files," when prompted select yes. Also in the History seciton press "Clear History," again when prompted select yes.

  9. Back up your data.
    • Hard drives break and corrupt, Disks get lost and broken. Before you lose hours of hard work make sure your data is properly backed up.
    How to Do This:
    • Keep copies of important documents on both your network drive as well as your local drive.
    • Periodically burn copies of your data on to a CD for storage.