Quality Management Articles - Quality Matters Blog: It Isn't rocket science!

I visit a fair number of businesses each year and I am often surprised by the real lack of security for computer systems. Many businesses either don't know about security or think that a security incident won't affect them.

Here are 10 basic security precautions for Windows machines :

1. Always set the option to force a user to press CTL-ALT-DEL before logging on
2. Passwords should be at least six characters long and contain letters and numbers
3. Don't use your name, your partners name or the name of a pet as a password
4. Don't write the password on a post-it note and stick it to the screen or under the keyboard
5. Passwords should be changed regularly
6. Don't share your password with anyone
7. Use ant-ivirus software and keep it up to date
8. Use an anti-spyware programme regularly
9. Turn on the inbuilt firewall (Windows XP and later machines)
10. When leaving the desktop or laptop unattended, lock the system by pressing the windows button and L

Simple steps can save real problems

Labels: information security management, ISO27001