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 elektrokarniz_hppa Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

7,600 thoughts on “Quick Tips for Church Computer Safety”

  20. Баланс будинку https://press-express.com.ua та кар’єри: управління часом, побутові лайфхаки, цифрові рішення, особисті фінанси, батьки та діти, спорт та харчування. Огляди, інструкції, думки спеціалістів. Матеріали, до яких повертаються.

    Reply

  22. Щоденний журнал https://massmedia.one про життя без перевантаження: будинок та побут, сім’я та стосунки, ІТ та гаджети, бізнес та робота, фінанси, настрій та відпочинок. Концентрат корисного: короткі висновки, посилання джерела, інструменти для действий.

    Reply

  38. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all people you really recognize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my web site =). We can have a link alternate contract between us!

    Reply

  47. Життя у ритмі цифри https://vilnapresa.com розумний будинок, мобільні сервіси, кібербезпека, віддалена робота, сімейний календар, здоров’я. Гайди, чек-листи, добірки додатків.

    Reply

  48. Про будинок та світ https://databank.com.ua навколо: затишок, сім’я, освіта, бізнес-інструменти, особисті фінанси, подорожі та кулінарія. Стислі висновки, посилання на джерела, корисні формули.

    Reply

  49. Життя простіше https://metasearch.com.ua організація побуту, виховання, продуктивність, smart-рішення, особисті фінанси, спорт та відпочинок. Перевірені поради, наочні схеми, корисні таблиці.

    Reply