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

Your email address will not be published.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

29,967 thoughts on “Quick Tips for Church Computer Safety”

  19. работа на удаленке вакансии Как найти удаленную работу: полезные советы. Используйте специализированные сайты, группы в социальных сетях и обращайтесь к рекрутинговым агентствам. Не бойтесь рассылать резюме и участвовать в собеседованиях.

    Reply

  31. Промокод 1xBet на сегодня при регистрации. Новички могут использовать промокоды для получения различных бонусов от букмекера. Найти такие коды можно на тематических сайтах и рабочих зеркалах. 1xbet предлагает несколько форм создания аккаунта: в 1 клик. Компания заботится о клиентах и соблюдает международное право. Актуальные Free 1xbet coupons можно получить бесплатно: в СМИ. Любой желающий легко найдёт промокод 1xbet на сегодня. Предложения выгодные, а условия их получения — реальные. В некоторых случаях вообще ничего делать не нужно.

    Reply

  38. удаленная работа без звонков Удаленная работа в интернете — глобальная рамка для поиска проектов онлайн-разнообразной направленности. Здесь встречаются задания по копирайтингу, переводу, дизайну, разработке, анализу данных и обучению онлайн. Важна способность работать автономно, организовывать своё время и эффективно взаимодействовать в онлайн-коммуникациях. Для успешной карьеры полезны портфолио, резюме, примеры работ и рекомендации. Обязательно проверяйте надёжность заказчика, избегайте предоплат и внимательно читайте условия проекта, чтобы избежать мошенничества.

    Reply

  41. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

    Reply

  49. фриланс в интернете Копирайтер вакансии удаленная работа: возможности для писателей. Если вы любите писать, попробуйте себя в копирайтинге. Многие компании ищут удаленных копирайтеров для написания текстов для сайтов, социальных сетей и рекламы.

    Reply

  50. удаленная работа для студентов Удаленная работа без звонков: тишина и продуктивность. Для тех, кто не любит телефонные разговоры, есть множество вакансий, не требующих общения по телефону. Сосредоточьтесь на задачах, требующих внимания и концентрации.

    Reply