[IS&T Security-FYI] SFYI Newsletter, January 25, 2010

[Monique Yeaton]

In this issue:

1. Adobe PDF Protection
2. Making Facebook Safer for Users


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1. Adobe PDF Protection
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Do you have the tools you need to help keep information secure? Many  
business processes involve handling and storing electronic documents  
containing confidential data, such as a person's identifying  
information. Regardless of how the document was created, it is up to  
the people handling these documents to prevent a major security mishap.

If document security hasn't been on the top of your mind, it should  
be. Just imagine what could happen if confidential information got  
into the wrong hands. It could cost MIT a lot of money, as well as a  
bruising to MIT's reputation.

Some types of documents have security features built right in. For  
example, PDF (Portable Document Format) files can be protected using  
Adobe Acrobat 9 software. Free licenses for Adobe Acrobat 9  
Professional are available from IS&T, see <http://adobe.mit.edu/>.

With Adobe Acrobat 9 you can:
control document security with password protection and restrictions on  
who can access, alter or print your files
embed watermarks to help ensure no one mistakes a draft for a final  
version
prevent unauthorized changes to finalized files
redact sensitive data

Take a look at these tips by Adobe on setting these features for PDF  
files (this link will open a video with instant playback):

<http://www.protectyourworkwitha9.com/quicktips/Index.asp>


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2. Making Facebook Safer for Users
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If you use Facebook regularly you may have noticed that the Facebook  
developers have been trying to make the site safer. They have added in  
all kinds of new settings so that you can limit who can see your pages  
and what exactly they can see.

But if Facebook is to become even safer, they'll need make sure there  
are safeguards against hackers who will try to post malicious links on  
your page, sending your friends to dangerous websites that could  
download unwanted software or steal their personal information.

Enter Websense, a software company specializing in web security, email  
security and data security. They announced last week that they  
developed the first security application for Facebook. Facebook users  
can now monitor their pages for unwanted content, including spam  
comments, profanity, and links to malware. This is especially helpful  
for business who have a Facebook presence. See for yourself in the  
video they posted on YouTube.

The YouTube video (this link will open a video with instant playback):
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSLg-yVXt4I&feature=player_embedded>


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Find current and older issues of Security FYI Newsletter: <http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/ehBB 
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Monique Yeaton
IT Security Awareness Consultant
MIT Information Services & Technology (IS&T)
(617) 253-2715
http://ist.mit.edu/security

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