PROTECT
YOUR WORK!
You’ve seen the messages on ace.fyi. A laptop has been stolen from a faculty office and precious research notes with it. A virus alert warns that files may be erased. And we are all urged to take steps to protect our equipment and our work. But in case you have missed these cautions or just as a reminder to the rest of us:
- Lock your office whenever you go out, even briefly. (This protects any valuables in your office, not just your laptop.)
- Don’t leave your laptop unattended anywhere else, such as in a classroom or in the library.
- Update your virus detection software.
- Back up any work on your hard drive on a regular basis.
This year, regular backup has also become an important issue for those of us with new Dell laptops. Hard drive failure can also result in the loss of data, a problem which User Support is working with Dell to solve. In the meantime—backup, backup, backup! Instructions for backing up to CD are posted on the Helpdesk web site http://www.acadiau.ca/ helpdesk/. Go to Information Centre and select “Data Backup”.
For updating your virus detection software also see the Information Centre and select “Virus Updating and Scanning”.
For additional assistance with backing up or critical software updates, contact Helpdesk staff at extension 4357 or helpdesk@acadiau.ca.
Don’t let yours be one of the horror stories.
Patricia Gallant