Security Tips

• Online Security Best practice for Users
  
  Update your operating system & browser on a regular basis
  From time to time vulnerabilities are discovered in these programs. The publisher will then release a "patch" to correct this weakness. These weaknesses are regularly exploited by virus writers and hackers to gain unauthorised access to those PC's that have not been patched. To check for patches and updates you should visit the publisher's website, typically in their Download section.
  
  Use and regularly update your anti-virus software
  You may already be using anti-virus software but to be effective the software should be updated regularly with the latest virus definition files. (If you are unsure how to do this, you should refer to the programs Help function.)
  It is also possible to obtain free anti-virus protection. A search for "free anti-virus" on a search engine will provide a list of the most popular.
  
  Use a "personal firewall"
  A firewall is another small program that helps protect your computer and its contents from outsiders on the internet. When installed it stops unauthorised traffic to and from your PC.
  
  Passwords
  Keep passwords private, & don't use a common password for all your needs.
  Passwords are the key to your SECPay account information. It is hard to juggle a multitude of different passwords and it is tempting to have the same password for everything. Doing this puts security at risk should anyone discover this single password. For this reason, you are strongly advised to have a unique password for any services as critical as your SECPay merchant account.

  When choosing a suitable password, you might consider the following:

  • Be different - Avoid using the same password for different services
  • Try not to be tempted to use passwords that can be easily guessed, e.g. children's names, pet's names, birth dates, telephone numbers
  • Never write them down - If you need to record them use a code system, e.g. transpose some of the letters.

  Security tips
   

  • Don't share computers
  • Disable your computer's 'File and Printer Sharing' capabilities to help prevent unauthorised access. (Use your computer's Help function for instructions).
  • File extensions. Most operating systems use file extensions. (E.g. a word document ends in .doc and a photo image might end in .jpg).
  • By default some operating systems do not show these extensions. Whilst this presents cleaner looking file names, it also provides viruses with a means to hide. (Use your computer's Help function for further instructions).
  • Be wary of opening any unexpected emails with attachments.
  • A common way for a virus to spread is via email. Some viruses send copies of themselves to everyone in the infected PC's address book. This means it could appear to come from someone you know.
  • Email attachments that contain a file ending .exe, .pif, .vbs are commonly used with viruses.

  File Sharing
  File sharing is a growing activity on the internet and in simple terms allows you to access other people's files and them to access yours. Typically these are music or video and photograph files, but with most of these sites it is possible to pass any type of file from one computer to another. By allowing your computer to be accessed in this way it is possible for viruses, trojan horses (see glossary section) and other harmful software to infect your computer. We recommend that you avoid using file sharing services
  
  Automatic Internet Shutoff at Night
  You can configure your computers to automatically disconnect from the Internet every night, then reconnect before office hours.  Hackers are most busy at night.  You can use a simple batch file along with the built in Window Scheduler.