One Step Ahead: Almanac Security Tips - 2013

Table of Contents (view all)

Spring Cleaning Your Office? Know What to Do with E-Waste
Keep Your Identity Safe When Filing Taxes This Year
Why use Penn+Box when Storing Data in the Cloud
Mobile Device Security - 3 Recommendations for Cloud Users (Hint: That's You!)
Be Aware of QR Code Risks
It’s Data Privacy Month: Update Your Facebook Privacy Settings and More
How Are You Celebrating Data Privacy Month?
Stay Secure while Working on Public Wi-Fi Networks
Protecting Your Finances During This Year's Holiday Shopping Season
Cloud and You
Security and Privacy Online Training & Tools
October: Free Secure Disposal of Paper and Electronics at Employee Resource Fair; NCSAM
Student Privacy - What Do I Need To Know? A FERPA Reminder
Top 10 Tips for Securing Your Smartphone or Tablet
Working Off Campus? Some Tips to Consider

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Tagged with home computing , software

Tuesday, October 9, 2007 - Almanac Vol. 54, No. 7

Working at Home and Other Remote Locations: Recognize the Data Privacy and Security Risks

Working at home and while traveling are becoming common phenomena in our society—including the Penn community. “Virtual offices” can be created almost anywhere using current technology, and flexible work scheduling is expanding in large part because of technology’s impact. The convenience that these developments make possible is accompanied, however, by increased risks to data privacy and security.

For example, assume for a moment that you are working with confidential University data on your home desktop or your laptop. Is the machine properly protected with updated anti-virus software and a firewall? Without these you are running an unnecessary risk of having confidential Penn data hacked. Has a family member perhaps downloaded file-sharing software to your computer? If so, another machine running that software could potentially access all of the data—including the University information—on your hard drive, not just the files that your family member intended to share.

It is critical to be aware that working with confidential Penn data on personal desktops and laptops gives rise to significant new privacy and security risks. To help address these risks, the following steps are recommended:

• Minimize—and if possible avoid—use of personally-owned machines to access confidential University data such as SSNs, health information, credit card data, student records, and financial information.
• Be especially cautious regarding computers used by others who may have downloaded dangerous software such as file-sharing tools.
• Protect your machine with a Penn-recommended security suite.
• Encrypt any confidential data that is stored locally on your computer.

It is also crucial not to use computers whose security level is unknown—such as public machines in libraries and Internet cafes—to gain access to confidential University data.

For some basic tips on protecting your computer’s security visit the Hot Links listed at www.upenn.edu/computing/index.html.