ITS Computer & Network Security Awareness Month
It's that time of year again! This April, the ITS Technology Security Services Group (http://www.nyu.edu/its/security) and Computer Advocacy @ NYU (http://www.nyu.edu/pages/advocacy) are hosting the 5th annual Computer & Network Security Awareness Month. As new threats to the security of your computer and personal information continue to emerge, it's important to keep informed. This month of events is organized to showcase the latest computer security developments and provide the NYU community with the tools they need to help protect themselves.
Each Wednesday in April, a free security seminar will be held at the Kimmel Center from 1:00–2:00 pm (with the exception of the talk by Ed Skoudis, which will end at 2:30 pm). We will also host two special seminars by Apple Computer and Microsoft on Monday, April 11th and Monday, April 25th, respectively.
Check out the seminar descriptions below, and visit the Security Awareness Month website (http://www.nyu.edu/its/securityawareness/) for copies of our helpful security publications, links to useful security websites, and a full calendar of events—now featuring daily security tips and suggestions! Refreshments will be served at all of our seminars.
SEMINAR DESCRIPTIONS
To register for any of these seminars, please send your full name and the title(s) of the seminar(s) you wish to attend to: security-rsvp@nyu.edu. If some seminars have passed by the time you see this, you can still register for any remaining events.
Phishing:
Don't Let Them Reel You In!
April 6th, Kimmel Center, Room 802
1:00–2:00 pm
Presented by Tracey Losco,
ITS Technology Security Services
This talk will focus on the phenomenon of "phishing" scams: how to avoid them, and what to do if you fall prey to one. We will discuss how rampant these exploits are, where they come from, what phishing sites looks like and who hosts them, who is usually targeted for these attacks, why people fall prey to them, what can happen to you if you become a victim, and where to find more information.
Tips On How to Secure the Mac OS X Environment
April 11th, Kimmel Center, Room 900
1:00–2:00 pm
Presented by Steve Hayman,
National Consulting Engineer, Apple Computer
Security considerations have never been more important when selecting a computer platform. Whether you are a home user with a broadband Internet connection, a professional with a mobile computer, or an IT manager with thousands of networked systems, you need to safeguard the confidentiality of your information and the integrity of your computer(s). With Mac OS X, Apple has implemented a security strategy that is central to the design of the operating system, ensuring that your Mac is safe and secure.
Topics of discussion will include:
- FileVault: How to secure your local home directory with AES 128 bit encryption
- KeyChains: Manage collections of passwords and certificates with a single password
- Non-privileged vs. privileged users: Understanding the difference, when to use each, and how to configure them
- The OS X firewall: How to set it up and open ports (and determine which ports to open)
- Software Update: How it works and how to use it
- Encrypted image disks: How to create them
- Single Sign On, Smart Cards, PAMs, and Offline Authentication
Why Me? Viruses, Worms, Script-Kiddies and More
April 13th, Kimmel Center, Room 909
1:00–2:00 pm
Presented by Brian Smith-Sweeney,
ITS Technology Security Services
One of the questions most frequently asked of security professionals is "Why would anyone want to break into my computer?" This class will examine that question from the often-overlooked human perspective. What are viruses and worms, and how do they spread? Who are the people that write them? Why do crackers, script-kiddies, and other Internet criminals do what they do? Armed with this knowledge, we will explore some methods for avoiding common attacks.
The Evolution of Malware
April 20th, Kimmel Center, Room 900
1:00–2:30 pm
Presented by Ed Skoudis,
founder and Senior Security Consultant with Intelguardians.
This presentation will discuss recent evolutionary trends in malicious code. In the past two years, we've seen a deluge of really nasty developments, letting the bad guys compromise our computers in very fundamental ways. Increasingly, they are using their evil creations to make money, with a wide range of business models to foist upon unwitting web surfers. To help you get a handle on the problem, this talk will analyze the different levels and most powerful capabilities of malware, with a special emphasis on defensive strategies and tools for thwarting the bad guys. We'll look at the latest user-mode and kernelmode rootkits, as well as bots, worms, and other beasts.
Desktop Security for Students
April 25th, Kimmel Center, Room 905
1:00–2:00 pm
Presented by Joseph Craparotta,
Account Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
In this talk, we will discuss the state of the industry today: what threats are rampant; viruses, worms, and spyware in relation to Microsoft's operating system; and how to protect yourself in this environment.
Defending Against Spyware
April 27th, Kimmel Center, Room 405
1:00–2:00 pm
Presented by Phil Rodrigues,
ITS Technology Security Services
This session will discuss spyware, which the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines as "software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge, and which may send such information to another entity without the consumer's consent." The session will provide answers to common questions, such as: What is spyware? Why is it bad? How can you tell if your computer has spyware installed on it? What can you do to protect your computer against spyware?
NOTE FOR ATTENDEES
The Kimmel Center is located at 60 Washington Square South; you will need to pre-register for each seminar (security-rsvp@nyu.edu) and bring your NYUCard when you attend. If you have any questions, please send e-mail to security@nyu.edu.
Author Biography
Tracey Losco is a Network Security Analyst in ITS Communications & Computing Services' Technology Security Services.
Page last reviewed: June 1, 2005. All content ©New York University.
Questions or comments about this site? Send e-mail to: its.connect@nyu.edu. |
