Maintaining a secure environment

First, some general guidelines relating to maintaining the security of your account (that is, your login and password on an Internet host, and associated access to filespace, electronic mailbox and Web space). Users rely on system managers to a large extent to take care of the overall security and integrity of the system. However, if hackers are intent on breaking in, any weakness in the system can provide an initial entry point. This can be provided by a single user who is slack about the security of his or her id and password.

(1) Keep your password secret. Don't give it to anyone else, and especially, don't include login and password details in an email message.

(2) Use a password which can't be guessed or found in a dictionary. Recommended practice is to make it a mixture of letters and numbers, upper case and lower case.

(3) Change your password frequently. Normal computer security is important for network security. Network login details may be obtained from your computer if it falls into the wrong hands.

(4) Keep your computer secure. Don't leave a machine on which you are logged in unattended.

For discussion of security issues relating to using the Web, see Security and Encryption.