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Week 7: Cybersecurity basics and public computer environments

• Real time lecture: April 12th 8:30 - 10:30 Pacific/11:30 - 1:30 Eastern on Zoom https://zoom.us/j/9129428892

Overview

Providing access to public computers is one of the most important services that libraries provide. Patrons without internet access or personal computers are unable to access government services, apply for jobs, access information, and keep in touch with family and friends. Security is never absolute, but as librarians, we have a responsibility to provide this access in as secure as manner as possible. This includes ensuring that the part of the online experience that we control (the computer and the local area network) are as secure and protective of privacy as we can make them. This week, we'll learn about the basics of cybersecurity that all library workers should know, and then we'll talk about how to set up our public computer environments in more private and secure ways.

Readings

• Library privacy checklist for public access computers and networks: https://chooseprivacyeveryday.org/resources/guidelines-checklists-for-libraries/library-privacy-checklist-for-public-access-computers-and-networks/
• Library privacy guidelines for public access computers and networks: https://chooseprivacyeveryday.org/resources/guidelines-checklists-for-libraries/library-privacy-guidelines-for-public-access-computers-and-networks/
• What is free software? https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html
• All about malvertising: https://www.malwarebytes.com/malvertising
• How Forbes inadvertently proved the anti-malware value of adblockers https://www.networkworld.com/article/3021113/forbes-malware-ad-blocker-advertisements.html

Optional readings

• Using Linux on library public computers: https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=linux-privacy-essentials-field-reports#_
• The Tor Browser and Intellectual Freedom in the Digital Age: https://journals.ala.org/index.php/rusq/article/view/5704
• Tor Browser at TPL: https://blog.torproject.org/tor-browser-tpl-defending-intellectual-freedom-and-winning-awards-doing-so
• LibraryVPN project: https://libraryvpn.org/about/

Discussion

TBD

Tasks

• Lecture, readings, discussion forum, and final project work