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[:en]Defeat ransomware: Backup your data[:af]Fnuik ransomware: Rugsteun jou data[:]

Wednesday, July 5th, 2017

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The destructive Petya ransomworm caused destruction and major interruptions of services around the world last week. Unfortunately, it’s becoming progressively more difficult to avoid these attacks as cybercriminals become more clever and inventive in their methods. While there are ways to prevent that you fall prey to such an attack, there’s one thing you can do which will ensure that you are safe. And it’s not technical or difficult to do.

Once a week, backup all your data. Yes, this is a menial, boring administrative task – and we all hate those, but by ensuring that your data is safe and sound elsewhere, it won’t matter if your PC is infected by ransomware or any other malware. If you do lose your data, you will have another version available. 

Here are a few quick tips to help you:

  1. Choose one day a week which suits you and make an appointment in your diary to do a weekly backup.
  2. Try not to overwrite your previous backup. Rather make consecutive copies in various folders on your external hard drive or on your network space and name each with the particular day’s date. If any of the documents become corrupt for some reason, you can always fall back on a previous version.
  3. Regularly check that the medium on which you made your backup is still in working order and you’re able to access your documents.
  4. Use more than one backup medium, for example, your network space AND an external hard drive.

Where should you backup data?

  1. Each staff member has access to his/her own network space (usually the h-drive) where you can save an allocated amount of data for free. You have 1GB at your disposal to backup your most critical documents. At an extra cost of R10-00 per 1GB this space can also be increased. This network space is also available via the web at storage.sun.ac.za if you find yourself away from the SU network. 
  2. On your departmental network space (usually the g-drive). The departmental drive can be used for files used by more than one person and 15GB is allocated to each department. SharePoint can also be used by groups for sharing documents.
  3. OneDrive allows each staff member 5TB of storage space. This is available via the Office365 suite. https://portal.office.com/
  4. If you choose to have your data close at hand, get yourself an external hard drive. Never save important data on a flash drive – its sole function is for transporting data from one device to another and is not a dependable medium for backup. Just ensure that these devices are stored somewhere else (not also in your office) or in a safe. If confidential, SU documents are kept on an external hard drive, files have to be protected with a password or encrypted. Keep in mind that if you lose the password, not even IT can salvage your data.
  5. Alternatively, you can save data in the cloud. We’ve already mentioned OneDrive, but GoogleDrive or Dropbox are also examples of this. It is extremely important that cloud storage is only for personal use, not for any academic information or sensitive data. Also keep in mind that if you use more than one device, you have to sync data across devices and this will incur costs.

More tips on backups, as well as activating Windows’ automatic backup function on www.backblaze.com.

 

 

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Die vernielsugtige ransom-wurm Petya het laasweek verwoesting regoor die wêreld gesaai en vele kritiese dienste onderbreek. Ongelukkig raak dit toenemend meer moeilik om hierdie tipe aanvalle te vermy, aangesien kuberkriminele slimmer raak en al meer inisiatief aan die dag lê. Hoewel daar maniere is om te voorkom dat jy in die ransomware-slaggat trap, is daar een ding wat jou sonder twyfel sal beskerm. En dis nie te tegnies of te moeilik om te doen nie.

Rugsteun jou data eenmaal ʼn week. Ja, dis ʼn vervelige, sieldodende, administratiewe taak en ons almal haat admin ewe veel – maar deur net dit te doen, verseker jy dat jou data veilig is. Selfs al word jou rekenaar oorgeneem deur ransomware of enige ander malware, het jy ekstra weergawes daarvan beskikbaar elders.

Hier is ʼn paar vinnige wenke om jou te help:

  1. Kies een dag in die week wat jou pas en skeduleer ʼn afspraak in jou dagboek om ʼn weeklikse rugsteun te doen. 
  2. Probeer om nie oor vorige rugsteundokumente te skryf nie.  Maak eerder opeenvolgende kopieë in verskeie vouers op jou eksterne hardeskyf of netwerkspasie met elkeen se datum as beskrywing. Indien enige van die dokumente korrup word, sal daar altyd ʼn vorige weergawe beskikbaar wees. 
  3. Gaan gereeld jou rugsteun-medium na en maak seker dat dit nog in ʼn werkende toestand is en jy toegang tot jou dokumente kan kry. 
  4. Gebruik meer as een rugsteun-medium, byvoorbeeld jou netwerkspasie EN ʼn eksterne hardeskyf. 

Waar moet jy jou data rugsteun?

  1. Elke personeellid het toegang tot sy/haar eie netwerkspasie (gewoonlik die h-skyf) waar jy ʼn vasgestelde hoeveelheid data gratis kan stoor. Jy het 1GB tot jou beskikking om die mees kritiese dokumente te stoor. Die spasie kan ook vermeerder word teen ʼn ekstra koste van R10-00 per 1GB. Jou netwerkspasie is ook beskikbaar via die web by storage.sun.ac.za indien jy nie op kampus is nie.
  2. Departementele netwerkspasie (gewoonlik die g-skyf). Die departementele netwerkspasie kan gebruik word vir leêrs wat deur meer as een persoon gebruik word en 15GB word aan elke departement toegeken. SharePoint kan ook deur groepe gebruik word om dokumente te deel.
  3. OneDrive bied 5TB stoorspasie per personeellid. Hierdie diens is beskikbaar via die Office365 suite. https://portal.office.com/
  4. Indien jy verkies om jou data naby te hou, kry vir jou ʼn eksterne hardeskyf. Moet nooit belangrike data op ʼn flitsskyf stoor nie – die enigste doel daarvan is om data van een toestel na ʼn ander te skuif. Dis nie ʼn betroubare rugsteun-medium nie. Maak ook seker dat jou rugsteun-mediums elders gebêre word of in ʼn kluis (nie in jou kantoor nie). Indien jy US-dokumente op ʼn eksterne hardeskyf stoor, MOET dit met ʼn wagwoord beveilig word of enkripteer word. Hou ook in gedagte dat indien jy die wagwoord verloor, IT nie jou data weer sal kan opspoor nie.
  5. Laastens kan jy ook jou data in die wolk stoor. OneDrive is een voorbeeld van wolkberging, maar GoogleDrive of Dropbox is ander opsies. Wolkberging is slegs vir persoonlike gebruik en nie vir enige akademiese of sensitiewe data nie. Onthou ook dat, indien jy meer as een toestel het, jou data op alle toestelle sinkroniseer moet word en kostes noodwendig betrokke is. 

Vir meer wenke en hoe om Windows se outomatiese rugsteun-funksie te aktiveer, lees gerus op www.backblaze.com.

 

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[:en]Alternative facts, fake news or lies?[:]

Wednesday, March 1st, 2017

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If there’s one thing the US election taught us, it’s that “alternative facts” exist and any news which puts Trump in a negative light is, apparently, “fake news”. Fake news does exist, but it’s not what Trump wants it to be.

“Fake news, or hoax news, refers to false information or propaganda published under the guise of being authentic news. Fake news websites and channels push their fake news content in an attempt to mislead consumers of the content and spread misinformation via social networks.” (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/F/fake-news.html)

During the US election, it became clear that most of the fake news generated, including sites that improved Donald Trump’s chances as a candidate, originated from outside the United States. In Macedonia, one teenager started a lucrative business spreading the pro-Trump fake news. Whether this played any role in Trump’s presidential win, we’ll never know. Speaking of Trump – Did you hear he signed a visa-free travel policy for South Africa? Not true! Fake news! Sad! Even in South Africa, it was suggested that the ANC used fake news to try and influence the local elections. 

It’s easy to get swept up when you read something upsetting or ludicrous and of course, your first instinct is “I have to tell someone!” So you share it on Twitter, you send it via e-mail and you post it on Facebook and you feel like you are involved in spreading the news. And so something that’s not true spreads like wildfire and fake news peddlers are laughing all the way to the bank.

The increase of fake news means that we have to be more careful and even suspicious of what we read on the internet. If it looks like a news website, it doesn’t mean it is. On the contrary, it’s remarkably easy to create fake websites. There are ways to spot fake news, but it will require you to be more vigilant and above all, read more critically. Local (real) news website EWN lists a few tips to help you to distinguish between the real and the ridiculous. Mybroadband goes into even more detail with their article “How to stop falling for fake news on Facebook.”

Fake news characteristics are easily recognisable if you take the time to read the article before sharing it. By reading, you will notice details which don’t fit. If a headline sounds sensationalistic, it’s probably a fake article attempting to lure you into clicking.  Remember Google is your friend and can indicate whether the same news is shared by legitimate news sources or if this is the only one. It will also show if the article is an old one recycled to generate new clicks.

Avoid getting trapped in an echo chamber. We prefer to only read information and opinions we agree with and inevitably search engines only suggest similar articles with similar views. Try to read a bit wider – even articles covering topics that don’t necessarily interest you or you don’t agree with. Challenge your own viewpoints. 

 

More articles on fake news: 

We can’t talk about ‘fake news’ if we can’t agree what it means
Google and Facebook partner for anti-fake news drive during French election
Fake news website (Wikipedia)
List of fake news websites
List of satirical websites

 

[SOURCES: http://ewn.co.za; https://mybroadband.co.za/]

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[:en]Security tips for travelling at home and abroad [:af]Sekuriteitswenke vir reis – oorsee en tuis[:]

Wednesday, March 1st, 2017

[:en]

Travelling without your electronic devices is highly unlikely — whether it’s to the coffee shop around the corner or overseas. These devices make it easy for us to stay connected while on the go, but they can also store a lot of information — including contacts, photos, videos, location, and other personal and financial data — about ourselves and our friends and family. Following are some ways to protect yourself and others.

Before you go:

  • If possible, do not take your work or personal devices with you on international trips. If you do, remove or encrypt any confidential data.
  • For international travel, consider using temporary devices, such as an inexpensive laptop and a prepaid cell phone purchased specifically for travel. (For business travel, your employer may have specific policies about device use and travelling abroad.)
  • Install a device finder or manager on your mobile device in case it is lost or stolen. Make sure it has remote wipe capabilities and that you know how to do a remote wipe.
  • Ensure that any device with an operating system and software is fully patched and up-to-date with security software.
  • Makes copies of your travel documents and any credit cards you’re taking with you. Leave the copies with a trusted friend, in case the items are lost or stolen.
  • Keep prying eyes out! Use strong passwords, passcodes, or smart-phone touch ID to lock and protect your devices.
  • Avoid posting social media announcements about your travel plans; such announcements make you an easy target for thieves. Wait until you’re home to post your photos or share details about your trip.

While you’re there:

  • Physically protect yourself, your devices, and any identification documents (especially your passport).
  • Don’t use an ATM unless you have no other option; instead, work with a teller inside the bank. If you must use an ATM, only do so during daylight hours and ask a friend to watch your back. Also, check the ATM for any skimming devices, and use your hand to cover the number pad as you enter your PIN.
  • It’s hard to resist sharing photos or telling friends and family about your adventures, but it’s best to wait to post about your trip on social media until you return home.
  • Never use the computers available in public areas, hotel business centres, or cyber cafés since they may be loaded with keyloggers and malware. If you use a device belonging to other travellers, colleagues, or friends, do not log in to e-mail or any sensitive accounts.
  • Be careful when using public wireless networks or Wi-Fi hotspots; they’re not secure, so anyone could potentially see what you’re doing on your computer or mobile device while you’re connected.
  • Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use. Some stores and other locations search for devices with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled to track your movements when you’re within range.
  • Keep your devices with you at all times during your travels. Do not assume they will be safe in your hotel room or in a hotel safe.

When you return:

  • Change any and all passwords you may have used abroad.
  • Run full antivirus scans on your devices.
  • If you used a credit card while travelling, check your monthly statements for any discrepancies for at least one year after you return.
  • If you downloaded any apps specifically for your trip and no longer need them, be sure to delete those apps and the associated data.
  • Post all of your photos on social media and enjoy reliving the experience!

Also read the New York Times article, “Traveling Light in a Time of Digital Thievery”. Looking for hotel safety tips? Watch this four-minute Travel Channel video, which explains how to avoid thefts, Wi-Fi hackers, and fire-hazard hotels.

 

[SOURCE: www.educause.edu]

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Reis sonder mobiele toestelle is deesdae onwaarskynlik — of jy net om die draai in `n koffiewinkel sit en werk of duisende kilometers weg in `n koffiewinkel met gratis Wi-Fi.

Hierdie toestelle maak dit makliker vir ons om verbind te wees met die internet terwyl ons aan die gang is. Dit stoor egter ook heelwat informasie — insluitende kontakte, fotos, videos, liggings en ander persoonlike en finansiële data — van onsself en ook van ons vriende en familie. Hier is `n paar maniere om jouself en ander te beskerm.

Voordat jy gaan:

  • As dit moontlik is, moenie jou werk of persoonlike toestelle saamneem as jy internasionaal reis nie. Indien jy moet, verwyder of enkripteer vertroulike data.
  • As jy internasionaal  reis, oorweeg dit om eerder tydelike toestelle, soos `n goedkoper skootrekenaar en voorafbetaalde foon, te kry. Maak ook eers seker wat die universiteit se beleid is met betrekking tot die gebruik van toestelle wanneer jy reis.
  • Installeer opspoorsagteware vir jou toestelle  indien dit verlore raak of gesteel word. Maak seker dat dit moontlik is om data uit te vee vanaf `n afstand en dat jy weet hoe om dit te gebruik.
  • Maak seker dat enige toestel met `n bedryfstelsel en sagteware ten volle op datum is met sekuriteitsagteware, byvoorbeeld anti-virus.
  • Maak kopieë van jou reisdokumente en enige kredietkaarte wat jy saamvat. Los die kopieë by iemand wat jy vertrou, ingeval dit verlore raak of gesteel word.
  • Gebruik sterk wagwoorde, kodes en slim-foon raak IDs om jou toestelle te sluit en beskerm. 
  • Moenie sosiale media gebruik om jou reisplanne bekend te maak nie – jy maak jouself `n maklike teiken vir kriminele. Wag totdat jy tuis is voordat jy details oor jou reis deel.

Terwyl jy daar is:

  • Beskerm jouself, jou toestelle en jou identifikasiedokumente (veral jou paspoort) fisies. 
  • Moenie `n OTM gebruik tensy jy geen ander keuse het nie. Gebruik eerder die teller binne die bank. Indien jy `n OTM moet gebruik, doen dit slegs gedurende die dag en vra `n vriend om vir jou uit te kyk. Kyk ook uit vir steeltoestelle en bedek die sleutelbord met jou hand as jy jou PIN intik. 
  • Dis moeilik om fotos van jou avonture nie met vriende en familie te deel nie, maar dis beter om te wag totdat jy terug is voordat jy dit op sosiale media sit. 
  • Moet nooit die beskikbare rekenaars in openbare areas, hotel besigheidsareas of internetkafees gebruik nie – hulle kan reeds gelaai wees met malware en sagteware wat jou sleutelhale opneem. Indien jy `n ander reisigers, kollegas of vriende se toestelle moet gebruik, moenie aanteken by e-pos of enige ander sensitiewe rekeninge nie.
  • Wees versigtig vir openbare Wi-Fi netwerke of Wi-Fi toegangsgebied — hulle is nie veilig genoeg nie. Die moontlikheid bestaan dat enigiemand kan sien wat jy op jou rekenaar of toestel doen terwyl jy verbind is. 
  • Deaktiveer Wi-Fi en Bluetooth wanneer jy dit nie gebruik nie. Sommige winkels en ander plekke soek vir toestelle met dié funksies en speur jou bewegings na as jy naby genoeg is. 
  • Hou altyd jou toestelle by jou as jy reis. Moenie aanneem dat dit noodwendig veilig is in jou hotelkamer of -kluis nie.

Wanneer jy terug is:

  • Verander die wagwoorde wat jy oorsee gebruik het. 
  • Loop `n volledige anti-virus skandering op al jou toestelle.
  • As jy `n kredietkaart gebruik het met jou reis, gaan jou maandelikse state vir tot `n jaar later na vir enige teenstrydighede. 
  • As jy toepassings afgelaai het vir jou reis en dit nie meer nodig het nie, vee dit en die gepaardgaan data af.
  • Nou kan jy uiteindelik jou fotos op sosiale media plaas en jou reis van vooraf geniet.

Lees ook die New York Times se artikel, “Traveling Light in a Time of Digital Thievery”. En het jy nog veiligheidwenke nodig? Kyk na hierdie vier-minuut Travel Channel video, wat verduidelik hoe jy diefstal, Wi-Fi krakers en gevaarlike hotelle kan vermy. .

[BRON: www.educause.edu]

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