What you will learn in this course.

You will learn how to secure a personal workstation for both business and home environments. This will include learning the following:

• How to keep an operating system automatically supplied with security updates.
• How to encrypt local drives using public key encryption schemes.
• How to manage anti malware software.
• How to guard against identify theft.
• How to manage and configure workstation firewalls.
• How to manage Internet Browser security.
• How to maximize security while surfing the Internet.
• How to develop a prioritization approach to workstation security.

Why?

• After this course you will be able to properly secure computer laptops and desktops in a business and home environment. This is an essential component of most Information Techology staff positions.
• This course is required for the CST Computer Support Technician diploma and degree, and the Networking Administration degree and diploma.
• This course is worth two credits, and will receive a letter grade. How you determine your grade.

When?

1. At the times listed for this course on the Ridgewater Course Schedule.
2. If you cannot make these times, you can alternatively watch the recordings of each class session.
3. Classes are not held on the following holidays:
• Labor Day.
• Veteran's Day.
• MEA (which is the third Thursday and Friday of October).
• Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Thanksgiving.
• Martin Luther King Day.
• Presidents' Day.
• Spring Break (usually the second week of March).

Where?

1. At Hutchinson, in Room 321, unless stated differently on the Ridgewater Course Schedule.
2. At Willmar, in Room 34, unless stated differently on the Ridgewater Course Schedule.
3. At home or anywhere with a high speed Internet connection.

How students attend this course.

1. Students may attend class online from home or elsewhere.
   

   The online student connects to class at the same time as the students on Campus are meeting with the instructor. Online and Oncampus students see and hear the same experience, and may converse simultaneosuly with the instructor.

   How you attend class online.

1. Open an Internet Browser window.
2. Obtain access to a high speed Internet Connection (DSL, Wireless provider, Cable Modem, etc). If you only have dial up, perhaps the local Library, McDonalds?, or other location will accommodate you.
3. Obtain a headset with Microphone boom or other working speaker/microphone. This is a requirement, even if you will be attending class in person.
4. Using your browser, connect to https://mnscu.webex.com.
5. Select the appropriate class.
6. The password will be posted in D2L.
7. Enter your name and ridgewater email address when prompted.
8. When prompted, select to join the audio conference using a headset.
9. When I am teaching from Hutchinson Room 321 classroom, you can reach me on the classroom phone 320 234 8614 to report audio problems with the WebEx Session.


2. Students may watch the class recordings.
   

   This is not the preferred method, since there is no live participation by the student. It should only be used by students who cannot attend the live class because of work schedules (try to schdule your work to avoid this), medical emergencies, personal crisis, etc. Watching the recordings is also useful for review.

   How you can watch the class recordings.

3. Students may attend class in person.
   

   This is best. Being surrounded by like minded students will stimulate learning and make for an enjoyable college social experience.

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