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Most recently published...Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - Almanac Vol. 55, No. 1Information Security and Privacy at Penn–2008 Year in Review
For the 2008 academic year ending June 30, 2008, Penn experienced a sharp drop in the numbers of hacked computers and a respectable drop in numbers of alleged copyright infringement notices. The most serious security and privacy incidents were most often due to lost or stolen computers or portable data storage devices.
The number of hacked computers in 2008: 239, is down 63% from 2007. Reasons for the improvement include broader use of automated patch management software and personal firewalls and a gradual replacement over time of older insecure computers. If you use a desktop or laptop computer older than three years, your single most effective step to tighten security would probably be to upgrade to a new computer.
While the numbers of alleged copyright infringement are down 29%, it’s still worth a reminder that illegally downloading or sharing copyrighted music, movies or games is a violation of Penn policy with sanctions for employees up to and including termination.
Finally, the loss or theft of portable laptop computers and storage devices like USB flash drives is a growing problem. Consider purchasing Computrace software to assist in recovering lost or stolen laptops.
| Information Security and Privacy at Penn--2008 Year in Review |
Legal Requests for Penns Electronic Records |
Checking Out Hoaxes, Frauds and Spam for Yourself |
Removing Your Name from Solicitation Mailing Lists |
New Policy: Managing and Protecting PDA |
Secure Deletion of Sensitive Information |
SSN Policy Reminder–Comply, or Have Compliance Plan, by May 1, 2008 |
IRS Warning: Tax Season Scams |
Converting SSN to PennID |
Risks of End User Software Development |
Strategies to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft |
A Privacy-Sensitive Environment: A Little Awareness Goes a Long Way |
Quality Assure: Who is Getting Your E-Mail |
Cyberbullying–A Growing Threat to Your Children |
Know What To Do if A Computer Security Incident Happens to You |
Backing Up Data Regularly |
Be Careful About “Free” Wireless Networks |
Disappoint Dumpster Divers and Hackers -- Shred or Delete Unneeded Sensitive Data |
Electronic Group Mailing Lists: Consider the Privacy Risks |
Asking Your Web Browser to “Remember” You: A Dangerous Idea |
Facebook, MySpace and YouTube Raise New Computer Security Risks |
Is it Safe to Visit This Website? |
The Right Thing to Do When You Think Something is Wrong |
Password, Passwords Everywhere |
Personalized Email Scams |
Older Computers at Higher Risk for Security Breaches |
Handling Documents and Data of Faculty and Staff Who Have Left Penn |
“Phishing” and “Domain Tasting” |
Working at Home and Other Remote Locations: Recognize the Data Privacy and Security Risks |
Computer Worm’s Many Disguises |
Website Privacy Statements |
Your Life Online |
Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing Software and Identity Theft |
Legal Requirements for Penn Data |
Bogus Warnings About Viruses and Spyware |
Spoofed PennKey Sites Can Steal Your Password |
SSN Cleanup Tools: Use Them and Protect the Penn Community |
Cleaning Up Home Computers |
Run A Security/Privacy Check On New and Ugraded Systems and Applications |
When Is a PC File Truly Deleted? |
Resetting Your PennKey Password |
Securing Your Home Wireless Network |
Want More Control Over Info? Look For Opportunities |
Secure Web Browsing: Three Important Signs |
Securing Data On Your Handheld Computer |
Unprotected Computers Can Be "Stashes" For Illegal Material |
New Back-IT-Up Service For Secure Backups |
Wipe Cell Phones and Other Wireless Devices Securely Before Disposal |
Student Records: Knowing the Basics |
Phishing: eBay and Pay Pal |
What Keeps You Up At Night? |
Worried About Identity Theft? Ways To Monitor Your Credit Report |
Security Patches/Updates: Usually Automatic, But Restart Weekly To Be Sure |
Working From Home and the Data You Work With |
Beware of Social Engineers |
About Keystroke Loggers |
Who Has Access To Systems?...Think About It! |
Carelessness With Consequences |
Find Out If Google Got Your Data - Before the Bad Guys Do |
Keep Your Private Data from Showing Up On Google |
The Panoptic Web |
The Best Way to Protect Data Is Not to Have It |
Security and Working At Home |
Create Strong, Uncrackable Passwords to Foil Hackers |
Your PennKey and All the Reasons to Keep It Private |
Managing Passwords |
Welcome back to One Step Ahead |
Don’t Keep Email Around Too Long |
Google Desktop: A Security and Privacy Risk |
Laptop Theft |
Do Not Download Sensitive Data Unless You Absolutely Have To |
Spam Filtering |
To Stay Secure, Keep Your Software Current |
Don’t Save Passwords in Your Web Browser |
Make Your Home Wireless Network Secure |
Privacy of Student Records |
Links Can Be Deceiving |
Does Your E-mail Sometimes Smell "Phishy"? |
Your Life Online |
Remove Data Before Discarding Old Computers |
How Secure Is Instant Messaging? |
Privacy of Social Security Numbers |
How Hackers Use Password Dictionaries |
Beware of Dangerous Free Software |
Has Your Document Sprung A Leak? |