Security is always a concern, but even more so on the College of Engineering campus. A computer is both a vital and important tool in the world of engineering, and you can't afford to have security problems. Following a few basic guidelines will help you avoid problems.

• Never share your password with anyone. No authority from the College of Engineering or the Computer-Aided Engineering Center will ever ask you for your password. If someone does ask you, please mail security@engr.wisc.edu and let us know.
• Never write your password down on paper, on a PDA, or in a computer file. It could be found and used by anyone. If you have to write something down to remember, write something that will help you remember your password, not the actual password itself, and keep it in a safe place.
• Never respond to SPAM in your mailbox. Even if you are just trying to get the spammer to stop, responding only proves that your account is still active.
• Scan all e-mail attachments for viruses, and never open an attachment if you don't know what it is. Virus scanners are not fool proof, and even scanned e-mail may sometimes contain a virus. UW-Madison students can stop by the DoIT Tech Store at 1210 S Dayton St. to pick up a free copy of Norton Anti-Virus, or you can download it directly.
• Keep your personal information private, especially your Social Security number. By law you are not required to divulge this number except in regards to your Social Security account.
• Use a data encryption program when remotely accessing another computer. Always use this program before your data is sent over the network. DoIT's WiscVPN does this.