Feeling a bit insecure?

Today I'm celebrating Computer Security Day!

Computer Security Day was started in 1988 to help raise awareness of computer-related security issues. Its goal is to remind people to protect their computers and information. You can participate by changing your passwords, checking for computer viruses, protecting against static electricity, backing up your data, deleting unnecessary files, installing power surge protectors, and updating your antivirus program. You could also help others by volunteering to speak about computer security at a local computer club or school or helping a novice computer user to backup their files. There are over fifty suggested activities described on the Computer Security Day website. There are also other useful links on the site, like the FTC's identity theft site and an online identity theft quiz.

Things to think about today:

• In view of all the deadly computer viruses that have been spreading lately, Weekend Update would like to remind you: when you link up to another computer, you're linking up to every computer that that computer has ever linked up to. ~Dennis Miller
  
• If you spend more on coffee than on IT security, you will be hacked. What's more, you deserve to be hacked. ~White House Cybersecurity Advisor, Richard Clarke
  
• The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards. ~Gene Spafford
  
• In God we trust. All others, we virus scan. ~Unknown
  
• Treat your password like your toothbrush. Don't let anybody else use it and get a new one every six months. ~Clifford Stoll

Remember, everyone online is not always who you think they are. A perfect song for today is Online by Brad Paisley. You can view the winning music video of Online selected from YouTube as submitted by DevinGotGame below:


Today I'm reminded of the times when someone had a virus you'd offer them some Pepto Bismol; when someone was hacking, you'd offer them a cough drop; and when phishing, you'd ask about what bait they used. Take a moment today to think about your computer and information and what you can do to make it secure.




Image credit: Illustration by Kate Simon in The Sydney Morning Herald