Open AccessPersonal Computer Security
Author(s) -
Riccardo Caruso
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
radiographics
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1527-1323
pISSN - 0271-5333
DOI - 10.1148/rg.235035021
Subject(s) - password , computer security , firewall (physics) , health insurance portability and accountability act , ransomware , personally identifiable information , computer science , internet privacy , medicine , confidentiality , malware , business , schwarzschild radius , charged black hole , accretion (finance) , finance
Personal computer (PC) security in the era of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) involves two interrelated elements: safeguarding the basic computer system itself and protecting the information it contains and transmits, including personal files. HIPAA regulations have toughened the requirements for securing patient information, requiring every radiologist with such data to take further precautions. Security starts with physically securing the computer. Account passwords and a password-protected screen saver should also be set up. A modern antivirus program can easily be installed and configured. File scanning and updating of virus definitions are simple processes that can largely be automated and should be performed at least weekly. A software firewall is also essential for protection from outside intrusion, and an inexpensive hardware firewall can provide yet another layer of protection. An Internet security suite yields additional safety. Regular updating of the security features of installed programs is important. Obtaining a moderate degree of PC safety and security is somewhat inconvenient but is necessary and well worth the effort.