12 FBI tips to protect against computer fraud

FBI’s National Computer Crime Squad has the following advice to help protect against computer fraud:

1. Place a log-in banner to ensure that unauthorized users are warned that they may be subject to monitoring.

2. Turn audit trails on.

3. Consider keystroke level monitoring if adequate banner is displayed. Request trap and tracing from your local telephone company.

4. Consider installing caller identification.

5. Make backups of damaged or altered files.

6. Maintain old backups to show the status of the original.

7. Designate one person to secure potential evidence. Evidence can consist of tape backups and printouts. A pieces of evidence should be documented and verified by the person obtaining the evidence. Evidence should be retained in a locked cabinet with access limited to one person.

8. Keep a record of resources used to reestablish the system and locate the perpetrator.

9. Encrypt files.

10. Encrypt transmissions.

11. Use one-time password (OTP) generators.

12. Use secure firewalls.