Q. How can I choose a good password?
A password that is properly generated, updated and kept secret can provide effective security. Below are guidelines for choosing a good password:

(Do NOT use any of the following)

• Your username or login name
• Your social security number
• Names of places
• Words found in the English or any foreign dictionary
• Any part of your name - first, last, or middle
• Your initials
• Names of friends, family, or pets
• Birthdays
• Phone numbers or addresses
• Any other personal information that could be guessed
• Your computer's name
• Repetition of the same letter
• Sequences of keyboard keys, such as "12345" or “abcdef”
• Any minor variation of the above, such as adding a character or number to the end of your name

Do use the following:
• Eight or more characters
• Words that do not make any sense, but are easy to pronounce and are not found in any dictionary
• Special characters (*!$+) mixed with letters and numbers
• Mixed upper- and lower-case letters; putting capitals in random locations throughout a password is effective
• Punctuation characters mixed with letters and numbers

Hint: A good way to choose a secure but easily remembered password is to use the first character of each word in a phrase. For example, "isab*DAY" stands for "It’s such a beautiful day"; the asterisk is included for extra security. (Don't use this password!)

Important:
• Never give your password to anyone
• Choose a password that you can remember
• NEVER write down our your password
• If someone has learned your password, change it immediately
• Do not allow anyone to observe you typing your password

Q. What is a Trojan horse?
A Trojan horse is a software program that is disguised as another program. Trojan Horses are typically distributed via e-mail, and are sometimes embedded in .DOC or .RTF files. When the user double-clicks on these files, the Trojan horse is executed and performs malicious acts on the user’s computer system. Trojen horses are similar to a virus, except that they do not replicate themselves.

Q. What is a virus?
A virus is software that is used to infect a computer and its applications. Its main function is to reproduce. Viruses are usually concealed by burying themselves inside existing programs. When a user double-clicks on these files, they replicate themselves and attach copies of themselves to other programs located on the computer. Viruses can destroy programs and data, either immediately or at a scheduled time.

Q. How do I prevent viruses from getting on my computer?
The best way to protect your system is to install an anti-virus program. FIU currently supports McAfee Antivirus. The software is available to FIU students, faculty and staff. Faculty and staff members may refer to the following link for installation instructions on downloading the McAfee EPO agent: http://w3.fiu.edu/software/mcafee.htm

Be careful when downloading files from web sites or opening attachments to e-mails. Only download files from known and trusted sites and individuals.
Make sure that the automatic virus scanning feature of your anti-virus software is turned on, and always install the latest versions of your anti-virus program. System and definition updates often contain information about new viruses ; make sure that they are kept up-to-date.

Q. Can an E-mail Message Infect My Computer With a Virus?
Unsolicited e-mail attachments frequently contain viruses. Your computer could become infected if you open (click on) an infected attachment.

Anti-virus software is an excellent protection against infected attachments. If you don't have anti-virus software installed, you can still protect yourself by watching out for unsolicited e-mail messages containing attachments. If you receive such a message, do not download the attachment, and if your e-mail software downloads it automatically, don't open the attachment. If you don't open an infected attachment, it cannot harm your computer.

If you would like to read a suspect attachment, it is best if you first download it to a floppy disk and then scan the disk with up-to-date anti-virus software. Of course, if a virus is found, do not open the attachment.

Q. Which anti-virus software does FIU support?
FIU currently supports McAfee Antivirus. The software is available free to FIU students, faculty and staff. Please refer to the following link for installation instructions: http://w3.fiu.edu/software/mcafee.htm

Q. What is a Security Policy?
A Security Policy is a general statement produced by senior management to specify the role security plays within the organization. It can be organizational, issue specific, or system specific, and is often written in broad terms to cover many subjects.