Personal Computers

Owned by James Meyer
Last updated: Feb 26, 2024
3 min read

Students, Faculty, and Staff all have personal computers and devices that are used to connect to both personal and University services.

North Park Information Technology staff want to help make sure your account information is secure, but it is your responsibility to manage your personal devices.

General Best Practices

Below you find some specifics on how to best care for your devices. Common across all devices:

  • Ensure your operating system is up to date

  • Ensure you have security in place

  • Be conscious and smart about your own personal information

Personal Windows Computers

Operating System

Ensure your Windows Operating System (OS) is on a recent version

We recommend that you select the options to automatically download and install Windows Updates so that your device is consistently being updated.

Windows Defender

Windows Defender is antivirus built in to your Windows 10 OS and should be adequate to protect from most threats as long as it is kept up to date.

Ensure your OS is up to date, and make sure Windows Defender is running in Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Security

You may want to install free or paid versions of anti-virus software, but that is not required as long as your OS is regularly updated and you follow other security practices (like Browser Security, below).

Malware and Virus Scan

If you suspect that your computer may be infected with malware or a virus you may want to:

  1. Install and Run ADWcleaner

    1. https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

  2. Install and Run Malwarebytes

    1. https://www.malwarebytes.com/

    2. The free version is adequate for a single scan, or you can choose to subscribe if you want.

    3. This will scan your computer and hopefully remove any current malware.

Restart your computer after performing maintenance and scans. You may want to re-scan after restarting, and make sure you check for Windows Updates again, as well.

Personal Apple Computers

Operating System

Update your macOS to the latest version supported by your hardware.

Browser Security

Using a modern and secure browser is important on all computers, regardless if it's running Apple, Windows, or a Chrome operating system.

Using the default browser (like Safari for Mac, or Edge for Windows) can be fine if you keep your OS updated, but most users want a third-party browser.

Operating System security is important, but most internet traffic takes place using the browser on your computer. If your browser is not secure, then the information you pass through your browser will not be secure either.

Browsers

Both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox offer quality browsers.

Clear Cookies or Cache

Keep in mind that clearing cookies may sign you out of websites, and some saved preferences may be lost.

Google Chrome

  1. Open Chrome.

  2. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner to open the menu.

  3. Select "Settings."

  4. Scroll down and click on "Privacy and security" in the left sidebar.

  5. Under "Privacy and security," click on "Clear browsing data."

  6. Choose the time range (e.g., "Last 24 hours" or "All time").

  7. Select "Cookies and other site data."

  8. Click "Clear data."

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.

  2. Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.

  3. Select "Options."

  4. In the left sidebar, click on "Privacy & Security."

  5. Scroll down to the "Cookies and Site Data" section.

  6. Click on "Clear Data."

  7. Check the box for "Cookies and Site Data."

  8. Click "Clear."

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Edge.

  2. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner to open the menu.

  3. Select "Settings."

  4. Scroll down and click on "Privacy, search, and services" in the left sidebar.

  5. Under "Clear browsing data," click on "Choose what to clear."

  6. Check the box for "Cookies and other site data."

  7. Click "Clear."

Safari on macOS

  1. Open Safari.

  2. In the top menu bar, click on "Safari."

  3. Select "Preferences."

  4. Go to the "Privacy" tab.

  5. Click on "Manage Website Data."

  6. You can either search for specific websites or click "Remove All" to delete all cookies.

  7. Confirm by clicking "Remove Now."

Safari on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Scroll down and select "Safari."

  3. Scroll down to the "Privacy & Security" section.

  4. Tap on "Clear History and Website Data."

  5. Confirm by tapping "Clear History and Data."

Extensions

Trusted browser extensions or add-ons can help make your browsing experience much safer.

IT recommends uBlock Origin for use as a general purpose blocker.

  1.  

    1. Chrome uBlock Origin

    2. Firefox uBlock Origin

More about uBlock Origin.

Keep your other extensions updated and removed unwanted and unnecessary ones.

Mobile Devices

Mobile devices like phones and tablets are important to secure since they are often connected to lots of personal accounts 24/7.

Here are some best-practices for keeping your device secure:

  1. Lock your phone with a passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition. Do not leave it unlocked.

  2. Update the operating system regularly. Set up automatic updates if possible.

  3. Update applications regularly. Set up automatic updates if possible.

  4. Avoid third-party application that are not found in your devices app store.

  5. Do not jailbreak or "root" your device.

  6. Backup your phone; Apple and Android both have cloud backup settings.

  7. Use public WIFI carefully or not at all.

This is a modified list from the Malwarebytes blog.