If admin and filing is just as frustrating to you as it is to me, you receive all your statements and accounts by e-mail rather than by snail mail.

How many times have we heard how important it is to make sure the information on your pc is safe and secure. Most of the time we think in terms of work related data and we’re not too worried. You have more personal information on your pc than you think. How easily we send bank details, passwords and other important info to other people via e-mail, because we just assume that it’s safe. 

Have you considered how much personal information you have stored in your mailbox and what a cyber criminal can use it for? For this reason it’s of the utmost importance that you take certain measures when it comes to your computer’s security.

1. If you leave your desk for longer than a few minutes, rather lock your pc by typing the Windows and L key or using the Lock this computer-function when you type Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Your info will be safe from passing, prying eyes.

2. Choose passwords wisely (For more handy tips on the selection of a secure password, click here)

2.1 Be careful of using a password forming a pattern on your keyboard. This is one of the popular ways of choosing a password and also one of the easiest one to crack for a cyber criminal. Avoid something like 1q2w3e4r5t,  !QAZ@WSX, qwertasdf or 654321 of 123456.

2.2 Rather be creative when selecting your password and think of a sentence unique to you, yet easy to remember. Use the first letter of each word and through in a digit or character to make it more difficult.

2.3 Always choose a password with at least 8 characters (letters, numbers, punctuation marks or special character like @$%^&*, etc.

3. Do not write down your passwords. It’s the same as leaving your key on your front doo’r’s steps.

4. Never save passwords in your browser, for example Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Safari. It’s extremely easy for someone to access those passwords. If your browser or any programme asks if the password should be saved, rather choose no, even if it’s less effort.

5. Do not give your password to anyone over the phone, e-mail or  instant message (IM). Never reply to an e-mail requesting any passwords, account numbers or PINS.

(INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY  NEELS BLOM)

As jy enigsins so sku vir administrasie en liasseerwerk is soos ek, ontvang jy ook deesdae al jou state en rekeninge per e-pos in plaas van slakkepos.

Ons het al tot vervelens toe gehoor hoe belangrik dit is om die inligting op jou rekenaar te beskerm. Meeste van die tyd dink ons slegs in terme van werksverwante data en ons is nie te bekommerd nie. Maar jy het meer persoonlike inligting op jou rekenaar as wat jy dink en ons stuur maar te maklik bankdetails, wagwoorde en ander belangrike inligting via e-pos omdat ons glo dis veilig.

Het jy al gedink wat `n kuberkrimineel met al daardie inligting kan maak as hy sy skelm handjies daarop kry? Daarom is dit tog belangrik dat jy steeds sekere maatreëls tref as dit kom by jou rekenaar se sekuriteit.

1. As jy vir langer as `n paar minute wegloop by jou rekenaar, sluit dit eerder deur Windows en L of die Lock this computer-funksie te gebruik. Jou inligting is dan weggesteek vir nuuskierige, dwalende oë.

2. Kies wagwoorde versigtig. (Vir nog handige inligting oor wagwoorde en hoe om die beste wagwoord te kies, lees gerus hier)

2.1 Oppas om ‘n wagwoord te gebruik wat ‘n patroon op die sleutelbord vorm. Dis die algemeenste manier om `m wagwoord te kies en gevolglik ook die maklikste manier vir `n kuberkrimineel om jou wagwoord in die hande te kry. Vermy iets soos 1q2w3e4r5t of !QAZ@WSX of qwertasdf of 654321 of 123456.

2.2 Wees eerder kreatief en dink ‘n sinnetjie uit wat jy maklik sal kan onthou, en gebruik dan die eerste letter van elke woord, maar gooi so ‘n syfer of twee of dalk ‘n leesteken tussenin.

2.3 Kies altyd ‘n wagwoord wat minstens 8 karakters (letters, syfers, leestekens en spesiale tekens soos @$%^&* ens) het.

3. Moenie wagwoorde neerskryf nie. Dis net so goed as of jou voordeursleutel op jou stoeptrappie te los.

4. Moet nooit wagwoorde in jou webblaaier, byvoorbeeld Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, ens stoor nie. Dis geweldig maklik vir iemand om dan daardie wagwoorde in die hande te kry. As die blaaier vir jou vra of dit die wagwoord moet onthou, sê eerder nee al is dit minder moeite. Dieselfde geld vir Remote Desktop sessies en gestoorde wagwoorde.

5. Moenie jou wagwoord vir enigiemand oor die foon of via epos of ‘n kitsboodskap (IM) gee of reageer op enige epos wat vra dat jy dit (of jou bank rekeningnommer en PIN) aanlyn intik of per epos stuur nie.

(INLIGTING VERSKAF DEUR NEELS BLOM)

This entry was posted on Friday, November 9th, 2012 at 10:00 am and is filed under General, Security. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.