"Learn About" series

You can also use the Web Resources section for links to recommended educational sites.  You can always contact the Help Desk if you have computer-related questions of any kind.  

• Active Directory
  Microsoft's directory system for users and resources
• Anti-virus and anti-spyware scans
  The benefits -- and limits -- of free Web tools to detect malicious software on your computer
• Audit trails and audits
  What they are, why they are important to understand
• Batteries
  What batteries "like" and "dislike" -- so you'll get more life out of them 
• Bluetooth wireless
  What short-range wireless does and how it works
• Broadband cable and DSL
  What they are, basic issues and problems for home users
• Choosing the right personal computing equipment
  How to pick the desktop, laptop or other portable computing devices that fits your needs 
• Clients and servers
  What the difference is, and why you should care 
• Computer memory
  Basic information about RAM, including how much to select for your computer
• Computer power management
  How to extend the life of your computer, make it safer, save money and help the planet
• Computer security at home
  Basic steps to keep safe your personal PC and the data on it
• Computer security at work
  Basics safety steps for your workplace PC
• Computer security on the move
  Basics safety steps for mobile devices like PDAs, palmtops and smart phones
• Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability
  What information security specialists mean when they talk about the "CIA"
• Data retention: How long is long enough?
  Criteria that determine the minimum (and sometimes maximum) time that data must be kept
• Daylight saving time: the new schedule
  How it might affect you
• Data sensitivity -- see "Protected" and "sensitive" information
• Domain Name Services (DNS) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Network Address Translation (NAT)
  You've heard these abbreviations.  Find out what they mean.
• Drive mapping
  How your computer "finds" storage that isn't physically attached to it, such as your home directory and shared directories
• Email filtering
  How it works, considerations for using it
• Email protocols: POP, IMAP and MAPI
  What they are, and what the differences mean to you
• Email safety and security
  Basic tips for preventing email problems
• Encryption (coming soon)
• Executable files
  What they are, what they do, and how to avoid getting into trouble because of a malicious one
• External portable hard drives
  A cheap, convenient and sometimes dangerous storage.  The benefits and risks explained. 
• Flash drives
  Safe and secure use of these convenient, economical portable storage devices
• Flash drive security
  Basics for keeping data safe on flash drives, including some recommended secure models
• Hard drives
  Safe and secure use of this most common storage medium
• Hurricane preparedness for devices and data
  Steps to protect your computing valuables from severe weather events  
• Identity theft: big and small
  What it is, how to avoid the minor and the serious forms
• IT organizations serving the medical campus
  Who does what in IT services, with the phone numbers to reach them
• Malware (malicious software)
  Preventing problems from viruses, worms and Trojan horses
• Microsoft Office: What version do I need?
  How to decide when it's time to upgrade to the new version.
• Microsoft Windows: What version do I need?
  How to decide when it's time to upgrade to the new Windows operating system.
• Minimum PC configurations
  Shopping for a Windows PC, but have a tight budget?  Here's the minimum we recommend. 
• Mobile information services
• Mobile phones: 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G
• Network traffic statistics
  Real-time graphs of what's going on in our network (on-campus only)
• Optical storage
  Safe and secure use of CD-Rs and -RWs, DVD+/-Rs and +/-RWs
• Password safety
  How to pick strong passwords and keep them safe
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
  Overview of the security requirements for organizations that use or store credit/debit card information
• Personal email and IM accounts
  What they are, why you need one
• Phishing and identity theft
  What it is, how to avoid falling victim to it
• Podcasting (coming soon)
• "Protected" and "sensitive" information
  Kinds of data protected by laws and regulations, certification requirements, or internal policy
• Protecting research data collections
  Overview of data protection issues and strategies for researchers
• Public vs. private networks
  What the difference is, and what difference it makes
• Recycling computers and data (coming soon)
• Secure data disposal
  How to get rid of obsolete data, data storage media and computers, without risking security
• Session timeouts
  What they are and why they are necessary 
• Spam email
  What it is and how to reduce the amount you receive 
• Spyware and adware 
  Preventing problems from spyware and adware
• Storage Area Networks (SANs) (coming soon)
• System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
  Microsoft's tool for centralized management of Windows clients
• Web safety and security
  Basic tips for preventing problems while you surf
• Video / Web conferencing
  The basic types of video conferencing, from the desktop to dedicated facilities
• Wi-Fi (802.11) wireless
  What the wireless networking standard does and how it works