An Interview with TechSoup's Security Forum Host

Forum hosts are a vital part of the TechSoup Community. The responsibility of a message board host in the TS Community is to answer questions, facilitate discussions, and provide resources to community members. As host of the Virus Vaccination and Computer Security Forum, Dana Crist helps users fix infected computers. Dana designs databases for Lifegains, a private nonprofit organization that provides specialized foster care for children.

TechSoup: How did you become involved with nonprofit technology and why?

Dana Crist: I got my first job with a nonprofit organization after a retail company I worked for filed for bankruptcy. A temp agency I registered with had an administrative assistant position that they thought I would be perfect for. When I found out that the position was with Lifegains, a local nonprofit foster care agency, I jumped at the chance for an interview. I was already becoming dissatisfied with the corporate scene and decided that I wanted to use my skills to support an organization whose primary focus was improving our community. In a nutshell, my reason for getting involved in nonprofit is the same reason we all do: I wanted to make a difference.

My position with Lifegains evolved into more than just an office support role, and that is how I began to lean toward technology as my focus. I was self-taught in all the major computer operating systems and applications of the time, and I ended up creating their first database, computerizing most of their forms, and automating many of their processes. They liked the information system I had put together and implemented it in their other branches. By then, I was hooked; working with technology in a nonprofit environment was the perfect niche for me.

TS: You joined My TechSoup in August of 2000. How did you find the site? What made you become a part of the community?

DC : I first found out about TechSoup through a direct mailing I received from

CompuMentor at my workplace. (In August 2000, I had moved to a different city and was working for a different foster care agency.) I visited the CompuMentor site and absolutely loved the idea of talented technology professionals using their skills in the nonprofit arena. It was a great resource for those of us in the trenches, and I wanted to be a part of it.

TS: What is the most important thing our users should know about protecting themselves against computer viruses?

DC: Our users should know that there are really only two simple things they need to do in order to keep their systems safe from 99 percent of viruses that are likely to come their way. Install a good anti-virus program and (here’s the most important part) be sure to keep it updated regularly so it will be able to recognize new viruses as they hit.

There are other words of advice I could give, like, "Don’t open suspicious looking emails," "Never download attachments claiming to be free games/screensavers/pictures," and "Check the TechSoup Virus Vaccination Forum for the latest alerts." But no other advice I can give would be as important as having an up-to-date anti-virus program that scans all your files and e-mails.

It’s hard enough for a home user to deal with the aftermath of a system infection, but for an organization, the cost of being cavalier about viruses and other malicious software can be so much greater. Leaving your organization’s computers without up-to-date protection is like leaving the company car parked with the keys in the ignition, the windows rolled down, and all the organization’s sensitive documents in a big pile in the backseat. I don't want a single one of our TechSoup users to have to learn the hard way about the damage viruses can do.

TS: According to your profile, you work for a nonprofit that focuses on youth development. Can you tell us more about the organization?

DC: Lifegains is the first nonprofit organization I worked for, and it is now my primary freelance client. It is a private, nonprofit corporation based in Morganton, North Carolina, and has been providing specialized foster care in its community since 1981. Each of its four programs across the state are designed to serve 40-48 individuals in foster homes that are selected, licensed, and trained by Lifegains in accordance with state regulations. Its Web site is currently under construction but will hopefully be up soon at lifegains.org. I couldn’t say enough about the heart of this agency and the work it does. I’ve seen so many children experience positive life changes as a result of their involvement with Lifegains families.

TS: How has technology been helpful in furthering the mission of your organization?

DC: At this point, the biggest impact Lifegains has seen with technology is in more efficient day-to-day administrative operations. With a database at the heart of its information system, the processes of accepting client applications and recruiting foster parents are more efficient, and documenting and end-of-year reporting are much faster and more accurate than the old manual methods. Forms and letters are integrated with the system, and information flows more smoothly from one place to the next. The focus while implementing technology has always been to keep computer and paperwork issues minimal for the case workers so the maximum amount of time possible can be spent helping children and families.

TS: What are your career goals?

DC: After I graduate next year with my Computer Information Systems degree, I think

I’d like to focus on either network security or database administration/development for a career path. If salary were not a necessity, and I could just have my dream job, I would probably forget the whole "job" thing and spend my time volunteering…in the area of nonprofit technology, of course!

TS: Describe your perfect computer-free day.

DC: What in the world is a “computer-free day?” LOL ! Well, if there were such a thing for me, I think I’d spend the day listening to all the music I’ve bought in the last year or so that I haven’t had time to really listen to and pick apart and truly enjoy. Or I’d make my husband take off work and just do something relaxing and fun, like go to the local amusement park and go out to dinner. So many years of constant work and school can make you forget what a "computer free day" really is!