Each individual has a responsibility for information security. Here are some simple and easy steps you can take to improve security.

  1. Never share your passwords.
    If someone does not have a password to gain access to a resource, they probably were not supposed to have it in the first place.
  2. Do not open suspicious email.
    If you receive an e-mail message from an unknown person that contains an attachment, do not open it. The e-mail may contain a virus.
  3. Lock your computer when you walk away.
    For Windows users, be sure to use the “Ctrl-Alt-Del” function to prevent someone from using your computer when you step away from your desk.
  4. Protect information stored on external media.
    Take steps to properly erase and dispose of external media such as CD-ROMs, diskettes, or USB flash drives.
  5. Protect information stored on your computer.
    Store data on your network drive and not on your computer’s hard drive (e.g. C:drive).
  6. Check to make sure that your computer has virus-scanning software installed.
    Carleton University has a campus-wide license agreement with Symantec, which provides anti-virus protection for administrative desktop computers, computers in public labs, computers owned by students living in residence, Exchange e-mail servers, as well as home use protection for faculty and staff.

For more information on protecting yourself online, please visit carleton.ca/its/security/.