Quick Tips for Church Computer Safety

Here are some quick tips we ask all our church staff to abide by in order to keep their own, the churchâs, and other people’s data secure. The applications we use are listed (and we believe they are all great), but there are other great apps to use as well.

  • File Storage – Store everything in Dropbox.  It is our backup software.  We can get your stuff back if your computer crashes. Do not keep stuff on your computer hard drive, desktop, or anywhere other than Dropbox.
  • Passwords – Use a secure password management system. Even a secure digital note is better than a sticky note on your desk.  Our recommended password app is 1Password.  Further, use different passwords for all your accounts, so if one is compromised, they are not all compromised.  Change your passwords often.  Use two-factor authentication when available.
  • Accounts – You should be the only one that knows your passwords and has access to your accounts.  If you have a spouse or kids, they cannot know the password to your work account (the computer, your email, church database, etc.).
  • Home Computers & Devices – If you have home computers with any type of church data on them, you cannot have a shared login account with family members.  You are required to have separate accounts set up on the computer and your account on the computer must be password protected.  It can be tricky, but this really applies to access your iPad, iPhone, etc… as well, if they have church files on them.
  • Autolocking All your devices – computer, phone, tablets, etc. – must be set to auto-lock after 5 minutes max.  Again, this also applies to home computers with church data on them.  Never leave your computer unattended.
  • Virus & Malware Protection – You should have up-to-date virus and malware protection on your computer.  This applies to Mac products too.  The church provides protection for your work computer through BitDefender.  If you do not have protection on your home computer you are responsible for purchasing adequate protection or removing any work files/accounts/programs immediately from the computer.
  • Updates – You should make sure your computer and all devices are up-to-date with all the latest patches and upgrades. This applies to both the operating system and applications. 
  • Use a Firewall – This is a feature in the operating system that makes things safer. You can easily turn this on for both Windows and Mac.
  • Use Reliable Browsers – Chrome, Firefox and Safari.  If you are using a browser other than these three you must receive permission.
  • VPN (Virtual Private Network) – Use a VPN, especially when off the church and your home network. Our recommended VPN is NordVPN.
  • Enable File Extensions – Enable file extensions so you can see the entire filename.  Many viruses come with two extensions such as picture.jpg.ex, so be looking out.
  • Other Simple Things: Do not open files from people you do not know. Ignore emails that say you won a contest. Watch out for online and phone scams (Microsoft or Apple will not ask you to call them, neither will the IRS or your bank). Ignore pop-ups, especially inside web browsers, that state your computer has a problem. When installing software, watch for bundled software that installs several programs. Don’t click on things you are unsure about.
  • Finally, remember you have an ethical and legal responsibility to keep church data, especially people’s personal information, safe.
Posted on
Category: Uncategorized

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

Leave a Reply to Arminda Villaneva Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

6,472 thoughts on “Quick Tips for Church Computer Safety”

  1. Adoro o clima explosivo de JabiBet Casino, oferece uma aventura de cassino que arrasta tudo. Tem uma enxurrada de jogos de cassino irados, incluindo jogos de mesa de cassino cheios de vibe. O servico do cassino e confiavel e brabo, respondendo mais rapido que um maremoto. Os saques no cassino sao velozes como um redemoinho, de vez em quando mais recompensas no cassino seriam um diferencial brabo. Resumindo, JabiBet Casino oferece uma experiencia de cassino que e puro fluxo para os viciados em emocoes de cassino! De bonus o site do cassino e uma obra-prima de estilo, o que deixa cada sessao de cassino ainda mais alucinante.
    jabibet bangladesh|

    Reply

  2. Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.

    Reply

  3. Galera, vim dividir minhas impressoes no 4PlayBet Casino porque superou minhas expectativas. A variedade de jogos e bem acima da media: slots modernos, todos funcionando perfeito. O suporte foi rapido, responderam em minutos pelo chat, algo que raramente vi. Fiz saque em cartao e o dinheiro entrou muito rapido, ponto fortissimo. Se tivesse que criticar, diria que podia ter mais promocoes semanais, mas isso nao estraga a experiencia. No geral, o 4PlayBet Casino tem diferencial real. Recomendo sem medo.
    4play bet download|

    Reply

  6. Fiquei impressionado com BETesporte Casino, e uma plataforma que pulsa com emocao atletica. Ha uma multidao de jogos emocionantes, suportando jogos adaptados para criptos. O bonus de boas-vindas e empolgante. O acompanhamento e impecavel, oferecendo respostas claras. As transacoes sao confiaveis, de vez em quando bonus mais variados seriam um gol. Em sintese, BETesporte Casino e uma plataforma que domina o campo para jogadores em busca de emocao ! Adicionalmente o site e veloz e envolvente, adiciona um toque de estrategia. Um diferencial importante os eventos comunitarios envolventes, oferece recompensas continuas.
    Descobrir mais|

    Reply

  18. Hi I am so happy I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a tremendous post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great work.

    Reply

  35. Hello! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply