Tips & Best Practices
Data backup!
There is no avoiding the fact that computers do not last forever and hard drives fail. Making sure your data is safe is our #1 priority. Never save documents to your desktop. Documents saved there are NEVER backed up by the district technology department. Data can be backed up in many ways. The recommended way is to always save documents to your Google drive or Google Shared drives. These drives are backed up nightly offsite by the district technology department.
Be mindful of what websites you visit!
Unfortunately most viruses and malware are just a click away! Please be aware of all links you click on. Clicking on just any link may take you to a malicious website or maybe even a legitimate website that has an ad with malicious code in it. You may sometimes be asked to install an additional plug-in to your web browser to view certain material on a website; this may (but not always) be malicious. Please always be cautious what you are downloading and installing on your computer. You can minimize your chances of your computer getting infected by only going to known legitimate websites. Most of these websites will keep themselves up-to-date and be compatible with the latest versions of all web browsers.
Always keep a secure password!
Almost everything you do on the web now requires a password. Because most of the websites you access will have personal and sensitive information, please make sure you use a complex (but memorable) password.
Most reputable organizations will NEVER ask for your password through email. If you receive an email requesting your password, be advised that it may be a phishing attempt to compromise your personal account information. Please see What is Phishing? below for more information. If you need to reset your Henderson Co. Schools network/email password, please call 270-831-8759. If you are ever worried one of your accounts has been compromised, change your password immediately.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a form of fraud in which the attacker tries to learn information such as login credentials or account information by masquerading as a reputable entity or person in email, IM or other communication channels. It is the act of acquiring private or sensitive data from personal computers for use in fraudulent activities. Phishing is usually done by sending emails that seem to appear to come from credible sources (however, they are in no way affiliated with the actual source/company), which require users to put in personal data such as a credit card number or social security number. This information is then transmitted to the hacker and utilized to commit acts of fraud. Some of the criminals behind phishing scams have even gone so far as to create websites that appear to be operated by government agencies.
Source: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/phishing.html#ixzz41Zb4Hdqo
Click here to see an example of a spam email.
Source: Nikkol Bauer, Henry County School District, KY
Keep all software on the most current version.
Software companies continually release updates to their software so they can fix bugs, increase compatibility and patch security vulnerabilities. Henderson Co. Schools Technology Support Department is constantly updating operating systems, web browsers, web browser plug-in/extensions and other software so that district computers do not become infected with a virus or other malicious software (malware) that could have been avoided.