Detailed Tips for Desktop/Laptop Security

1. Keep your computer up to date with Microsoft and other patches.

How to check for Windows updates.

1. Click the Start button (Windows flag in bottom left corner).
2. Click on the Settings icon (It looks like a gear).
3. In Windows Settings Window Click on Update & Security
4. In settings Windows Update windows (in the center pane), Click button check for updates.
5. If updates available click the download button at the bottom.
6. When updates are finished installing, click the restart button at bottom and repeat these steps until you receive a message stating your machine is up to date.

How to check for Chrome Browsers updates.

1. Click on Chrome to open browser window.
2. On the top address bar on the right Click on the three dots.
3. In the drop down menu click or hover your mouse over Help >
4. In the sub-menu Click on About Google Chrome.
5. Chrome will automatically update and inform you when complete.
6. On the right side of the screen, click the Relaunch button.
7. Chrome will automatically reopens it will display a message stating it is now up to date.

How to check for Firefox Browsers updates.

8. Click on Firefox to open browser window.
9. On top menu bar click on Help.
10. Click on About Firefox.
    1. A pop-up box will launch
11. Click Update
12. Click the button “Restart to update Firefox”
13. Repeat till window displays “Firefox is up to date”

*If you do not have a menu at the top.

1. Click the three bars at the top right of the address bar
   1. In the drop down window Click Help
2. Click “About Firefox”.
3. Click Update
4. Click the button “Restart to update Firefox”
5. Repeat till window displays “Firefox is up to date”

2. Turn your Windows local firewall on

1. Click the Start button (Windows flag in bottom left corner).
2. Click on the Settings icon (It looks like a gear).
3. In ‘Windows Settings’ Window Click on Network & Internet
4. On the left, click Windows Firewall
5. All networks listed should read “Firewall is on” 
   1. If they do not: There will be a button that reads “Restore Settings”
   2. Click the Restore settings button
   3. If a message pops up do you want to allow this, click the Yes button.
6. Close any open windows

3. Always use virus protection

1. Make sure you have virus protection and keep it up to date.

4. Secure your machine with complex passwords.

• • Create unique passwords consisting of phrases, capital, and lowercase letters and numbers.  Do not use your first name, birth dates, anniversaries, kid or pet names.

1. On your keyboard press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete buttons simultaneously.
   1. The screen will change to a blue screen with options
2. Click Change a password
3. In the Change a password Window, key in your current password.
4. Type your new password where it says New Password.
5. Type your new password again where it says Confirm Password
6. Click the arrow on the right or press the enter key.
7. Click OK on the “Your password has been changed” message.

5. Create screen saver time outs.

1. Click the Start button (Windows flag in the bottom left corner).
2. Click on the Settings icon (It looks like a gear).
3. In ‘Windows Settings’ Window Click on Personalization.
4. On the left menu, click lock screen
5. On the right scroll down to and click screen saver settings
6. A Screen Saver Settings box will appear
7. Click the drop down arrow under screen saver and choose a screen saver.
8. In the Wait box and type 15 or click the up arrow until 15 is displayed.
9. Click the check box next to “On resume, display logon screen”.
10. Click the Apply and Ok buttons
11. Close any open windows

6. Log out of websites when not in use

• • Make sure to log out of email, social media (facebook, twitter, tik tok, etc.) and shopping sites when finished, closing the application isn’t enough as your information may be stored and accessible to others.

7. Clicking links in emails

• • Never click on a link from your email, hackers sometimes spoof real websites in an effort to get the user to enter their username and password or credit card information.

• • Go to your web browser and type in the name of the website you want to visit this includes websites that seem completely legitimate such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Best Buy, etc.

8. Online Purchases
   • Before entering credit card or other personal information make sure the web page is secured by looking at the address to confirm the website is https.

9. Lock computer when not actively engaging online
   • Be sure to lock or log out of your computer when you walk away from it.