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.

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 *

2,136 thoughts on “Quick Tips for Church Computer Safety

  1. ラブドール エロPUNITIVE ORINCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCHDAMAG LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND – If you discover adefect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it,you canreceive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending awritten explanation to the person you received the work from.

  2. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.

  3. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

  4. I am really inspired together with your writing abilities and also with the structure for your weblog. Is that this a paid subject matter or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to look a nice weblog like this one nowadays..

  5. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  6. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  7. You can certainly see your skills within the article you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.

  8. Attractive component to content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing for your augment or even I success you access constantly fast.

  9. My brother recommended I might like this web site. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  10. After looking at a number of the articles on your website, I seriously like your way of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my web site too and tell me your opinion.

  11. First of all I would like to say superb blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing. I’ve had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out. I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Thank you!

  12. Срочно нужен сантехник? https://santehnik-v-almaty.kz в Алматы? Профессиональные мастера оперативно решат любые проблемы с водопроводом, отоплением и канализацией. Доступные цены, выезд в течение часа и гарантия на все виды работ

  13. Сериал «Уэнсдей» https://uensdey.com мрачная и захватывающая история о дочери Гомеса и Мортиши Аддамс. Учёба в Академии Невермор, раскрытие тайн и мистика в лучших традициях Тима Бёртона. Смотреть онлайн в хорошем качестве.

  14. Срочно нужен сантехник? сантехник услуги в Алматы? Профессиональные мастера оперативно решат любые проблемы с водопроводом, отоплением и канализацией. Доступные цены, выезд в течение часа и гарантия на все виды работ

  15. Сериал «Уэнсдей» https://uensdey.com мрачная и захватывающая история о дочери Гомеса и Мортиши Аддамс. Учёба в Академии Невермор, раскрытие тайн и мистика в лучших традициях Тима Бёртона. Смотреть онлайн в хорошем качестве.

  16. Срочно нужен сантехник? услуги сантехника в Алматы? Профессиональные мастера оперативно решат любые проблемы с водопроводом, отоплением и канализацией. Доступные цены, выезд в течение часа и гарантия на все виды работ

  17. Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a tremendous site.

  18. I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.

  19. Great post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte
    more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you
    could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks!

  20. Флешки оптом https://usb-flashki-optom-24.ru визитки спб и флешки купить 4 гб в Ханты-Мансийске. Купить флешку Usb 3.0 и флешка с отпечатком пальца цена в Архангельске. Флешка оптом 2 тб купить дешево и подарочная флешки