Vander Linden Highlights Cyber Security Awareness Month

Rep. Guy Vander Linden (R-Oskaloosa)

(DES MOINES) — Governor Branstad has declared October to be Cyber Security Awareness Month in Iowa. As computers and information technology play an ever-growing role in the everyday lives of Iowans, it is important that people take steps that protect their computers and personal devices.

Rep. Guy Vander Linden (R-Oskaloosa) is hoping Iowans will do what they can to ensure their personal computers at home are cleaned and secured from identity thieves. Below are a few tips from the Department of Administrative Services’ Information Security Office.

Establish and maintain a plan. Make a plan to perform periodic maintenance.

Remove unnecessary files or programs. Empty your Recycle Bin and delete Windows temporary files. Remove installed programs that you no longer use.

Run a defragment tool on your disk drive. To do so, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. (For “Classic” Start Menu, click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter.)

Apply updates and patches. Make sure your operating system and software applications have the latest updates installed.

Perform regular backups. All critical files, as well as any information not easily replaced should be backed up.

Routinely change your passwords

For more information, visit http://secureonline.iowa.gov/.