Protecting Your Computer for MAC Users

Keeping our network secure is everyone’s responsibility. The following measures will help ensure a safe and optimal computing environment for all.

  1. Keep your firewall turned on

    • A firewall helps protect your Mac from hackers who might try to delete information, make your computer crash, or even steal personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers. You should make sure your firewall is always turned on.
    • Mac OS X comes ready with a personal firewall turned on by default.  For more information about ensuring your firewall is on click here.

  1.  Keep your operating system up-to-date (Software Update)

    • High priority updates are critical to the security and reliability of your Mac. They offer the latest protection against malicious online activities.  Apple provides new updates, as necessary, on a regular basis.
    • It is highly recommended to configure your Mac to download updates automatically.  Click here to see how to get Mac updates automatically.

  1. Keep your computer free of malware

    • Malware is software and/or code designed to infiltrate or damage a Mac without the owner’s informed consent. Viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, bots, spyware, loggers, and dialers are all various forms of malware.
    • Using antivirus software such as McAfee Virus Scan along with spyware removal software like MacScan can greatly reduce the chances of malware infecting or infiltrating your Mac.
    • Keeping your antivirus software updated (use automatic updates if available) as well as enabled is crucial for this protection to remain effective.  Out-dated antivirus software is as effective as no antivirus software at all.
    • Practicing good internet and computing habits will further help ensure you’re not a victim of malware.  Malicious email and IM’s can be made to look like they are from a legitimate person and typically include a link to trick you into clicking on it and unknowingly download malware to your Mac.
    • Click here to visit Longwood’s software library to find antivirus software for your Mac.

  1. Use a strong Administrator password/passphrase

    • Setting a strong password or passphrase on all your user accounts is an important layer of protection.  It should be something easy to remember, easy to type and difficult for someone else to guess.
    • Refer to Longwood’s Password Management Standards for help with selecting a strong password/passphrase.

  1. ONLY register computers that belong to you

    • You are responsible for the maintenance and use of your Mac and any activity associated with any Mac registered to you using your LancerNet ID.
    • Unregister Mac’s that no longer belong to you (sell, trade, trash, etc.) by contacting the Help Desk.

More information about protecting your Mac can be found at OS X FAQ here.

 

ATTENTION STUDENTS: Failure to follow the measures listed above can result in the following sanctions:

  • 1st Network Violation – Your network access will be suspended until an RTA can clean/correct your computer.

  • 2nd Network Violation - Your network access will be suspended until 5 business days after your computer is reimaged/formatted at the repair center at your expense. The rate is currently $35 hr.

  • 3rd Network Violation - Your network access will be suspended until 5 business days after your computer is reimaged/formatted at the repair center at your expense. The rate is currently $35 hr. In addition; you will be referred to the Office of Honor and Judicial Programs for further disciplinary actions.