A "True Independent" Broker/Dealer

As a trusted independent financial advisor, your computer’s security is paramount in protecting client information.  For Centaurus Financial Independent Financial Advisors, there are three basic areas to address in securing the computers you use to access your client information and services.  As a member of the financial services community, Centaurus felt that the following guidelines would be helpful for public consumption.  In addition, the following guidelines may be helpful in designing systems to help protect your data.  When designing your security system, the following processes may be helpful:
1) Windows Account Login
a) You should not be able to use your computer without entering a password.  Additionally, you should set strong passwords that are 8 to 16 characters in length and contain a combination of upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
b) Setup separate user accounts for each person using the computer.
c) Passwords should not be shared.
d) You should change passwords at least every 90 days or upon an employee’s or associate’s termination.
e) Do not store passwords in plain sight.  Lock them up!
f) Screen Savers should be activated and set to “On resume, password protect.”
2) Anti-Virus Software (Including Malware, Spyware, Adware, Keystroke Loggers)
a) You should have up to date Anti-Virus (AV) software installed on every computer you use.
b) The AV software should have its definition file set to update automatically.  Your computer will need to be connected to the Internet for this to work.  If a computer has not been turned on or has not connected to the Internet for an extended period of time, connect it to the Internet when first starting up and let the AV software update itself prior to checking email or surfing the web.
c) Make sure all of the AV features relating to Malware, Spyware, and Adware are enabled automatically.
d) Some of the more popular and appropriate AV software products include:
• Avast
• AVG
• VIPRE
• BitDefender 2010
• Macafee
• Norton/Symantec
• TrendMicro
• WebRoot
3) Windows Updates
a) Set all computers to receive and install windows updates automatically.  http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
b) If a computer has not been turned on or has not connected to the Internet for an extended period of time, connect it to the Internet when first starting up and run “Windows Update” prior to checking email or surfing the web.
c) When shutting down your computer, you may see the option to “Install Updates and Shut Down”. Choose this option and wait for it to finish its update and turn itself off before shutting down your computer.