Data security on your private PC

1. Update(s) - Always keep your Operating System (Windows, Mac OS and Linux), Antivirus, Anti-Malware, Java, and Office software up to date.
2. Antivirus – Install an Antivirus program and see #1. The University of Tromsø offers free licensed Anti-Virus for all students and employees. Please visit our software distribution portal at: https://profil.uit.no/lireg/
3. Firewall - Ensure that the Firewall is activated. The firewall can be integrated in your operating system or in the Anti-Virus program you are using, so ensure one of them is activated.
4. Password - Never share your password. Ever. Period. Not to UiT employees, not with your parents, children or family. We will never ask for your password.
5. Backup - Do a backup every now and then to minimise losses the day you experience a serious computer crash that will result in loss of data.
6. Spam - Do not open e-mails from people you don't trust. Delete them. Further, do not open pictures, attachments or click on links in e-mails that don't make any sense.
7. Pop-ups - If you receive a pop-up message that offers something free (a scan / software / money / lottery tickets / trips / cars), do not accept.
8. Toolbars and bad software - Often when you download and install software, you will notice that it comes with "freeloaders", small toolbars or third-party software that you don't want. If there is no option to remove or prevent these from installing, we recommend you not to install this software.
9. Curiosity killed the cat - There's a lot to explore out on the internet. Some of it may be very exciting, but do not "play the game" if you aren't prepared to take some risk. Being online is being exposed to security threats on several levels such as (and not limited to) phishing, scams, hackers, viruses and malware. Such is the risk and the price you pay to work, watch "lolcats", chat, read newspapers and view funny videos online. Avoid surfing on internet while you are logged on as an administrator on your PC.
10. Know you own computer - Telling a genuine security warning from a fake one is hard if are not familiar with what software you have on your computer. Please keep yourself updated on the name of your Anti-Virus program and what version of your Operating System you are currently using.

Guidelines for the use of the university's IT resources

Upon receiving a user account at the university, you sign a user agreement whereby you agree to act in accordance with these guidelines. Please keep yourself updated on paragraph 5.0:

5.0 Data security

The user is obliged to take the necessary measures to ensure that the loss of data or similar shall have the least possible consequences by taking back-up copies, careful storage of data etc. This may be achieved by ensuring that the systems administrator has performed these tasks.

The user's own files are considered personal. However, these files should be protected so they cannot be accessed by other users.

The user is obliged to not share their password or other security elements with other users, and to prevent unauthorised people from gaining access to the IT resources. This also covers the entering of the university's internal user name and password on computers that do not belong to the university or storing the university's user name/password in browsers on external computers.

The entry of data involves a risk of unwanted elements, such as viruses, worms and Trojan horses. The user is obliged to carry out measures that protect the IT resources against such. All computers (including home computers and laptops) that will use the university's IT resources shall be protected with relevant security mechanisms (antivirus programs, firewalls and systems for regular updates etc.).

The user is obliged to report incidents that may affect the security or integrity of the computer system to their immediate superior or to the person in charge of IT security.