Welcome New Students

Dear Members of the University community…

Welcome to Northeastern. The safety and security of the computing environment is essential to the learning and business functions of the University. All the while, information security threats are all around us. Viruses, worms, spyware and bots can stop computers cold, invade privacy, interfere with work, drain computer resources, steal information, and cause inconvenience. Inattention to basic security and privacy concepts can cause inconvenience, financial loss, and a variety of other serious and costly consequences.

Un-patched computers, those with missing or out-of-date antivirus software, those with missing, weak, or easily-guessed administrative passwords, open file shares, guest accounts, spyware, or out- of-date operating system and/or application software are highly vulnerable to compromise. Compromised computers often become slow and unstable; damaging data; betraying sensitive information; infecting other healthy computers; and disrupting both your work and that of others. In many cases, compromised computers eventually become unusable and must be re-imaged, resulting in inconvenience, lost time, and in some cases, loss of critical information.

Security is a shared responsibility. To assist the community in understanding how to safeguard against information security threats, the Office of Information Security and Identity Services offers this Computer and Information Security Website. The following pages contain important information on how to keep your computer safe, protect your myNEU account, securely setup your wireless router, use copyrighted material legally, and protect your online reputation.

These resources are also available in the June 2012 Computer and Information Security Guide.

Thanks for doing your part to help keep the Northeastern computing environment a safe, available and effective workspace. If assistance is needed, please contact the IS Service Desk at x4357, or Information Security at itsecurity@neu.edu

Yours in security,

Mark T Nardone,
Director, Office of Information & Technology Security

The following information is also available in the 2012 Computer and Information Security Guide

Required Reading:
  1. Create a Good Password and Challenge Question Answer
  2. Wireless Router / Access Point Security Recommendations and Requirements
  3. Wireless Access Points – Set Up Examples
  4. Get Free Anti-Virus Software
  5. Learn about Copyrights, Music, Movies, and P2P downloads
  6. Email Phishing: Don’t Take The Bait!
Important Information:
  1. Protect Your Computer From Malware and Viruses
  2. General Computer and Information Security Recommendations
  3. List of Legal Download Sites for Music and Movies
  4. Social Media – Your Online Reputation
  5. Stay Informed, Keep up to date on the latest security and technology news and trends.