Immediate Concerns for the Campus Community

1. Immediate Concerns in the Community
   Visit Symantec Security Response.
2. Phishing
   "Phishing" is where the sending party sends spam e-mails or pop-up messages to lure personal and financial information into being given by unsuspecting recipients. The following links give the important steps you can take to avoid getting 'hooked,' and what to do if you have mistakenly responded to a phishing scheme.
   
   See also:
   
   • Phishing and Pharming Tips
3. Spyware
   Spyware refers to software that performs tasks on your computer, usually without your consent. Some examples are programs that give you advertising or ones that collect your personal information. Learn about the symptoms and preventative and reactionary measures you can take.
   
   See also:
   
   • Microsoft Security at home
   • OnGuardOnline.gov Spyware Quick Facts
4. Identity Theft
   Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your consent to commit fraud. Unfortunately, you can't entirely control whether you become a victim or not. But you can certainly take steps to minimize the risk.
   
   See also:
   
   • OnGuardOnline.gov ID Theft Quick Facts
5. Viruses
   A computer virus is a self-replicating computer program that affects the way a computer operates. A virus replicates and executes itself. A virus often replaces existing executable files with a virus-infected copy. Some viruses can be intentionally destructive, destroying data, while some viruses are benign or merely annoying.
   
   Learn more about viruses, how to treat them and other related topics.
6. Other Threats
   
   1. Peer-to-Peer File Sharing
      Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing is the technology that lets people share files online through an informal network. While convenient and conducive to an open workplace, P2P can also expose you to viruses, spyware and illegal materials. Learn how to minimize the risks when partaking in P2P.
      
      See the OnGuardOnline.gov P2P File Sharing Quick Facts.
   2. Spam, Scams and Hoaxes
      E-mail spam is a subset of spam that involves sending nearly identical messages to thousands (or millions) of recipients by e-mail. Perpetrators of such spam ("spammers") often harvest addresses of prospective recipients from Usenet postings or from Web pages, obtain them from databases, or simply guess them by using common names and domains. By popular definition, spam occurs without the permission of the recipients. — Source: Wikipedia.com
      
      See also:
      
      • Barracuda SPAM Firewall — How to Log in to Manage
      • Common Fraud Scams
      • Jury Duty Scam
      • Sending SPAM to be Filtered
      • Top 10 Internet Hoaxes
      • Visa & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam
   3. Risks for Home Users
      Because the home user is out of the net of protection offered by TMCC's ITO department and our carefully managed network, the home user faces more risk. Following are some links to help you effectively minimize those risks.
      
      See also:
      
      • Home Computer Security — CERT Coordination Center
      • Security at Home — Microsoft
      • StaySafeOnline.org
7. Computing Safety Presentations
   The information technology office (ITO) has created a presentation that covers some of the more important points of computing safety.
   
   
   

   Security Technologies
   Run Time: 25:19 min

   Windows Media
   • Security Awareness (or the lack of it) Part 1
   • Security Awareness (or the lack of it) Part II
   Note: An associated PowerPoint file-counterpart is attached in each of the PDF presentation files above. To access this file, open the PDF file and click on the 'lower, left-hand' corner tab labeled: "Attachments", or designated with a "Staple" graphic.
   
   Seminar: Keeping You and the Campus Safe
   
8. Other Information
   E-mails sent through the College's network are not private as noted on the login page of every computer.
   
   "Unauthorized user or access is prohibited. By continuing to use this computer system, you accept the rights and responsibilities in the TMCC Telecommunications User Policy ( effective March 2005). Your privacy is carefully guarded but cannot by guaranteed. Examination of information stored or accessed on the system may occur if authorized by the appropriate authorities."
   
   Please note:
   Upon employment and entrance orientation, each TMCC employee signed the Telecommunications Use Policy.