Security

Sometimes, security issues aren’t recognized early, because it’s difficult to tell the difference between your computer’s everyday quirks and things caused by a security problem.

This section outlines a few common signs of possible security issues and what to do if they happen to you.

• Computer compromise
• NetID theft
• Computer theft
  

Security problem: Computer compromise

The following are some potential signs that your computer may be infected with malware, such as a virus, worm, or other software that allows someone to control your computer remotely. Be aware, if this is the case, the only solution may be to reinstall all of your computer’s software. For more information, see www.cit.cornell.edu/security/wipeclean.html.

Your computer may have been compromised if:

• It seems slower than usual, or crashes more often.
• When browsing the web, you see lots of popup windows, or your web browser takes you to a different site than you expected.
• Your anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, or personal firewall reports a problem.
• You receive an email from Cornell Information Technologies alerting you that your network usage has increased significantly, even though you have not been using the Internet more than usual.
• It runs out of disk space unexpectedly.

Security problem: NetID theft

The following are some possible signs that someone has stolen your NetID password and may be using it, without your knowledge, to commit fraud or other crimes.

• You receive many notifications of undeliverable email messages.
• Your password stops working. This may indicate that whoever stole your NetID password has changed it.
• You notice changes to your personal information on university systems or how your email is working.

If you have any reason to suspect your NetID password has been stolen, you should change it immediately. For more about why NetIDs passwords are stolen, how it happens, how to spot it, and what to do if it happens, see About NetID Theft.

Security problem: Computer theft

Both laptop and desktop computers are subject to theft off and on campus. If your work computer is stolen, immediately report it to your department’s technical support staff. They will file a report with the Cornell Police. Do the same if you have lost any portable media, such as external hard drives, USB thumb drives, CDs, DVDs, tapes, or diskettes.

If you don’t have technical support staff, report the theft to the Cornell Police yourself.

Never leave your computer alone in a public area. Any computer in a public area needs to be physically secured.

• Vocabulary