Common-Sense Security Techniques

A system administrator can have the best system security measures in place, but without the users' cooperation, system security may be compromised. The system administrator must teach common-sense rules regarding system security, such as the following:

• Use proper passwords. Countless sites use weak passwords such as admin or supervisor for their root accounts.

• Don't give your password to anyone, no matter who the person says he or she is. One of the best system crackers of our time said that he would simply pose as a system support person, ask a user for a password, and get free reign with the system.

• Only give out a password to a known, trusted person. Users should know that no one would ever email or call asking for the password.

• If you walk away from a system, log out or lock the screen.

• Don't connect modems to the system without approval from the system administrator.