Play it Safe

Protective Software (Plus More)

Virginia Tech offers the user community several products that can help product their technology environment. A link to the Software & Hardware page offers information for faculty, staff, and students, and provides direct links to several helpful sites. Direct links to some of those sites are included here.

• Information Technology Acquisitions - provides information about what's available and how to acquire
• A direct link to the Norton antivirus software page - includes instructions on how to download
• Software Resources provides a list of helpful links to resources available to users
• Open Source is a link to a repository for helpful open source software

Selecting Good Passwords

It is very important that each user select good passwords for the systems they wish to access. The following site gives suggestions on selecting and maintaining passwords. You can find other information at specific sites for your operating environment.

• Picking Good Passwords - Practical strategies for creating strong passwords for your computer accounts

Business Recovery Plan

• Business Recovery Plan - This Departmental Emergency Planning Guide is provided by the Environmental Health and Safety office to assist in defining a recovery plan for your department.

Risk Analysis (STAR)

Why do a risk analysis for your information technology assets? Who will it benefit? The Security Targeting and Analysis of Risks (STAR) process is one that will benefit both the individual department and the university as a whole. Completing such an analysis is extremely important in today's advanced technological world. It is important that users understand what risks exist in their information technology assets environment, and how those risks can be reduced or even eliminated.

• The New Risk Assessment Steps and Format
  

Backup Services

It is recommended that user make frequent backups of their data. If you do not have a backup solution in your department, these services may be of interest..

• NetWork Backup Service
  A service offered by the Computing Center to university departments.

Surplusing IT Equipment

You spent a lot of time and effort, guarding your files and data from crashes, corruption, viruses, internet bandits and the like. Now you want to surplus the machine. When you surplus your machine, you are giving it to a stranger. You owe it to yourself, your department, and the University to make sure that sensitive files and other personal and business information are removed from your hard drive before you surplus your machine.

• Procedure for the Removal of University Data from Surplus Computer Hard and Electronic Media -- A link where you can find a document prepared to meet State requirements on surplusing equipment. It will ensure the removal of all university data and licensed software.
• How to Surplus the SUN -- Detail instructions on how to "scrub" the disks using the Solaris Operating Environment Format Program.