Keeping your computer and NetID secure takes vastly less time than recovering from a security problem. The topics on this page are the most important for you to cover, but you may also find other sections of CIT's security website, listed to the left, of interest.
CIT has resources available to help you if you believe your NetID or computer has been compromised.
Theft of the electronic IDs assigned to students, such as Cornell's NetIDs, is a rapidly growing problem. Follow the steps at the Protecting Your Identity page to set a strong password and manage it safely.
If your computer is connected to the Internet, it is under constant attack by criminals seeking to steal information, send spam emails, distribute illicit material, or attack other computers. Learn how your computer can be attacked, and about online privacy and fraud at the Internet Safety page.
The university's baseline security requirements mandate measures such as keeping your software (browser, operating system, and application software) up to date, making sure other people can't access your computer, and using a non-administrator account to connect to the Internet. These baseline measures apply to all campus systems, and are described on the Securing Your Computer page.
Note: Cornell provides you with free antivirus software. Go to the Antivirus page and follow the instructions to download and install.
