Windows Vista: Secure Your Computer

With the growing threat of malicious software and identity theft (someone trying to steal your personal information so as to make purchases and do other things while pretending to be you), it is important to secure your computer with a password, and to "lock" your computer with that password when you step away from it. This will help protect you against hacker attempts to access your system, and from someone accessing your files when you are away from your computer or in the event it is stolen. Of course, you should also secure your computer with a cable lock and be wary of where you leave it!

And don't forget: always log out of whatever Simmons system you're using when you're done, whether it's a computer, the online registration system, or your email!

Set a Log-on Password

  1. Open the Control Panel (click Start -> Control Panel).
  2. Click Classic View on the left, then open User Accounts.
  3. Click Create a password for your account.
  5. Type the password you would like to use in the New password field, then verify it by typing it again in the Confirm new password field. For tips on creating a secure password, please visit our Password Security page. In the Type a password hint field you can enter a phrase that may remind you of your password. Click Create password.

Setting Screen Saver Settings

You have set a password for your "account" on your computer. Now configure your computer to require that password in order to gain entry to your computer after the screensaver has come on.

  1. Right-click on the desktop of your computer. Click Personalize.
  2. Click Screen Saver.
  3. Select the screen saver you would like to use from the drop down menu. Then select the wait time. We recommend 20 minutes. That is, after 20 minutes of inactivity, your computer's screensaver will start, and to use your computer again, you will have to enter your password. Select On resume, display logon screen. Click OK.

Enabling User Account Control

Microsoft has introduced a new security feature in Windows Vista call User Account Control. You may have heard of this feature in a negative light as some say that it is more annoying than it's worth. While having this feature enabled can be bothersome at times Technology highly recommends enabling it. It helps protect you against viruses and malware applications installing additional programs and changing Windows settings and security features without your consent. More information about this feature can be found at Microsoft's website.

  1. Open the Control Panel (click Start -> Control Panel).
  2. Click Classic View on the left, then open User accounts.
  3. Click Turn user account control on or off. If User Account Control is already enabled you will see a security warning asking you to approve this action. If you see that message click Continue.
  5. Check the box next to Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer, then click OK.
  7. You will be prompted to restart your computer. User Account Control will be enabled when your computer restarts.

Setting Up and Securing a Personal Wireless Network

If you own a laptop that can attach to a wireless network, you can use that feature in a number of places on the Simmons campus. Simmons has not yet added wireless coverage to the entire residence campus. If you would like to use wireless in your home, or in your Simmons residence hall, you may do so by purchasing a wireless router.

If you have a wireless router, we urge you to configure its security features, especially the administrative password for it. By default, if you plug the wireless router into the ethernet port in your residence hall room (or your DSL or cable modem at home), the router is set to broadcast a preset name (i.e. Linksys) and will allow anyone within range of your router access to your Internet connection. Sharing your Internet connection with others will slow down your own access. On campus, sharing your on-campus Internet connection with residents in near-by non-Simmons buildings is a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy (a prohibited use: "Allowing unauthorized access to the Simmons network through any computer, modem, or network device (including wireless access points).

To avoid sharing your Internet connection, and, critically, to minimize the possibility that you will expose your personal data to others who are connected to your network, secure your wireless router according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you do not have the manual, check the manufacturer's web site. For a good list of what changes you should make to your wireless router, see the Yale Wireless Security page; for general information about wireless routers, personal wireless networks, and security on a wireless network, see How Stuff Works: How WiFi Works.

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