If you receive funding then part of it should include a contribution towards the security of your organisation.  If you keep records you have an obligation to keep them securely and if you employ staff you have elements of safety and confidentiality to consider.  This includes insuring your resources, staff and volunteers and keeping property safe.

The same applies to your IT.  You have a responsibility to ensure that equipment and software can be used safely and securely.  Having the right security software (anti-virus etc) is as important as having a key to yor front door.  If you use computers to communicate then you are vulnerable.

Make sure that security is correctly budgeted and included in your core costs.

Below you will find a list of the more common programs currently in use. 

Anti-virus  software consists of computer programs that attempt to identify, thwart and eliminate computer viruses and other malicious software (malware).

Spyware refers to a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation.

 

Adware or advertising- supported software is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used.  It has the potential to be unwanted and malicious.

 

Spam is unsolicited or undesired bulk electronic messages.

 

Firewall describes a logical barrier designed to prevent unauthorized or unwanted communications between sections of a computer network/internet.

 

See our briefing paper on passwords

 

 

If you keep your security up to date you should not need help, but things can slip through the net.  Firstly disconnect your computer from the network and try running your antivirus software to get the problem quaranteened/removed.  It might be worth while backing up your data now (if you haven't done it routinely).

Generally speaking the procedure for getting rid of these sorts of problems follows the medical analogy.  Identify the disease, isolate it, treat it, destroy it.  Do not let it come into contact with your network until you have a clean bill of health.

Virtual Riders can point you towards someone to do this for you.  It can be a lengthy and therefore costly process, but most situations can be recovered.  It is helpful in dealing with these situations if any data on the machine isn't vulnerable.  Expect to pay around £50 for this service.  Additionally we can provide a security audit for a one-off fee which will include implementation costings.

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