Protecting Your Computer and Data

Some important Computer Security Links:

• Securing Your Web Browser http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/securing_browser/
• Microsoft Update https://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/
• Microsoft Office Update http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/
• End of support for Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows XP Service Pack 1
  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/support/endofsupport.mspx#EHB
• Windows Server Update Services
  http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/updateservices/default.mspx

It’s always a good idea for any computer user to be prepared for an outage, regardless of the cause.  Power problems, from unexpected power surges to lightning strikes and blackouts, can cause serious damage to computer hardware and to data.  One quick blast of high-voltage energy from a lightning strike can cause a spike (a sudden increase in voltage) that literally burns up components in your computer.  Losing data and hours of work can be frustrating, but by following a few simple guidelines, you can protect your work, your data and your computer.

Before the lights go out:

• Remember to save your files regularly.  Most applications (e.g., Word, Excel) have automatic save features that will save your work for you at preset intervals.  Check your manual or help for instructions on how to use them.

• When using other business applications, before switching to another window, take the time to save your work.  If your machine or the database server you're connected to goes down, unsaved work will be lost.

• Remember to log off from secure sites to avoid potential problems.  If you lose power while logged onto a site, return and verify that your secure session has been ended when power has been restored.  If you are not certain whether or not your session has been ended, log in again and then log out.

• Back up your files and data.  Store your backup files somewhere other than your hard disk (e.g., on CDs, thumb drives or external hard drives), in case your hard disk is damaged.

• Most administrative applications are backed up at the server level.  However, if you store data on a local disk, be sure that you can recover if that disk should fail.

• If at all possible, schedule backups in such a way that you can turn off your computer when you go home at night.  It saves energy and reduces the risk that something will go wrong if the power is lost when you're not there.

• If at all possible, reduce the number of applications into which you are logged.  Besides taking longer to recover, having a number of applications active increases the risk of missing a recovery step.

• For added protection, use surge protectors.  The surge protector is a device inserted between the electrical outlet and your computer.  It’s designed to prevent over-voltages from reaching your computer.  These devices usually have six or more sockets for plugging in the computer, the monitor and peripherals (accessories like printers).  Also called surge suppressors, these devices are the simplest form of power protection for your PC.  They are available in a variety of models (some as low as $10 a piece) and you can choose from units that accommodate two or eight plugs.  They’re intended to protect all kinds of sensitive electronic equipment from office machines to entertainment systems.  Be sure to buy a surge protector and not a power strip—power strips can look the same as a surge protector, but operate like an extension cord, without any protection from spikes in power.

• Consider an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), particularly if you have important data on your computer (and most of us do).  To simplify, a UPS is a small box with batteries inside that operate as a backup power generator for your computer.  Some will also protect your computer against power variances such as electrical surges, spikes, brownouts, and blackouts, but be careful: some UPS' offer no surge protection.  If your UPS does offer surge protection, do not plug it into a surge protector as it could cause interference and further damage your system.  The average UPS designed for a single desktop computer will normally provide about five minutes worth of power, enough to properly shut down a computer's applications and operating system.  UPS' come in many types and prices.

• Routinely check backup battery systems to make sure they are fully functional.  Make sure, for instance, that your laptop battery is charged and that your UPS is on.

• When you receive notification of an outage, plan to turn off all your electronic equipment.  Some even recommend unplugging your computer when you leave your office for an extended period of time.  The most dangerous type of power fluctuation is the power surge or spike.  If it’s powerful enough, a surge can destroy your computer’s components, even if your system is turned off.

After the lights go out

• If your computer stops working unexpectedly, the first thing to do is quickly determine whether it's related to a power outage or some other problem (e.g., with the breaker in your building).

• If your area is experiencing a power outage, remember to turn off all your electronic equipment and appliances.  Don’t forget to turn off your monitor.  When power returns, there may be a surge of electrical energy that could damage sensitive equipment like computers, printers, and monitors.  To turn off your electronic devices, simply unplug them one by one. Leave one light on to let you know electricity has been restored.

• The most important thing is your safety. Keep in mind your exit path and the location of your personal belongings.

• Make a note of what was active on your computer if you did not have a chance to shut down properly.  Since the network will only be available for a short time, expect that your current information or transactions will be lost.  (You can check that once power is restored.)

• If your computer is still functioning on a battery backup, then perform a normal shut down.

When the lights return

• Check that the power is stabilized.  Is your light blinking?  Is your fan slowing down?  If not, the power is stable, and you may turn your equipment back on, one at a time.
• Check your hard drive.  If a power outage causes your computer to shut down abruptly, it's a good idea to check your hard disk when the power comes back on. Many computers will do this automatically.  If this does not happen, run a hard disk utility, like scan disk, to make sure there are no problems.  If files have been damaged, you can use a recovery tool to restore all the data possible from that file.
• Even though you have power at your desk, it may be some time before network equipment and database servers come back online.  Small power surges may also occur as power is being restored throughout the outage area.  Computer equipment should be brought online in phases, based on the critical need for the use of the machine.
• If remote database servers were affected by the outage, it may take up to one hour or longer for service to be restored.
• Once all service to your computer is restored, check the condition of all work you had open at the time of the outage.

The above courtesy of Boise State University