Desktop Security

As you know, hundreds of changes have been made to computer systems across campus to improve information technology (IT) security. The passwords you use, for example, must now be stronger and changed more often. As one step toward compliance with University regulations for information privacy, we recommend that all faculty and staff who use computers connected to the Liberal Arts network should make the following easy procedures essential parts of their routines.

Print this page, cut out the following graphic, and tape it to your computer monitor:

"Leaving your seat? Ctrl-Alt-Delete!"

In other words: Lock your computer before you leave it unattended.

On Windows-based computers, before walking away from your computer, you should simultaneously press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys and then click the "Lock Computer" button. Locking your computer is a privacy-preservation measure. Unless they determine your password, people who might gain physical access to your computer while you're away will not be able to see the information that is open on your screen or to access the files that you have stored on local or network storage devices.

Q. How do I unlock my computer?

A. Simultaneously press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys; type your Liberal Arts network password; and then click the "OK" button.

Q. When I lock my computer, does anything happen to the programs and files that I have open on my screen?

A. The programs that are open on your computer will continue to run while your computer is locked. When you unlock your computer, everything will be exactly as it was when you locked it. Locking the computer does not "freeze" it; rather, your Windows session is rendered inaccessible until your password is re-entered.

Q. Is there an easier way to lock my computer?

A. Yes; Microsoft provided a keyboard shortcut. To lock your computer quickly and without using the mouse, hold down the Windows key and then press the L key. Your computer will be locked immediately.

The Windows key (look for or ) is located on the bottom row of your keyboard between the Ctrl and Alt keys.

"Before You Depart, Please Restart!"

In other words:  Before you leave campus for the day, please simply restart your computer.

On Windows-based computers, you should click the "Start" button, select "Shut Down," select "Restart" from the menu, and then click the "OK" button.  On Mac OS X-based computers, click on the Apple menu, select "Restart," and then click the "Restart" button in the dialog that appears.  (Windows-based and Macintosh computers will both provide opportunities to save any files which may still be open.)  After it restarts, your computer's login prompt will wait patiently for you to return.

Q.  How will restarting my computer every day help make it more secure?

A.  Windows-based computers which are connected to the Liberal Arts network are configured to retrieve and install many critical software updates automatically.  Some updates are not activated, however, until your computer is restarted.  Restarting your computer daily is therefore essential to our security efforts.

Restarting your computer daily also clears out the "cobwebs" in your computer's memory, helping all Windows-based and Macintosh computers run more efficiently.

Q.  I already use the "lock computer" option on my Windows-based computer before I leave each day. Is that adequate?

The "lock computer" option (accessible by pressing the "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" key combination) helps secure your computer especially from unauthorized users who gain physical access to your system, and we encourage its use when you step away from your computer.  The "lock computer" option does not activate critical software updates which have been downloaded, though.  It is still necessary to fully restart your computer every day.

Q.  I'm used to turning off my computer at day's end.  Should I restart it and then leave it on instead?

A.  Yes.  Although turning off your computer at day's end does ensure that critical updates are applied (they'll be activated when you turn the computer back on), our recommendation at this time is that computers should remain powered on.  This helps the automation and verification of critical software update installations for computers connected to the Liberal Arts network.  Before you leave campus for the day, please simply restart your computer;  do not log back in with your password until you return to work.