The letter is posted in English, at least it looks like English.
March 25, 2010
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Re: Internet connections in Kingdom Halls
Dear Brothers:
Many congregations have seen fit to provide a computer in the Kingdom Hall, particu-larly for the use of
Watchtower Library. Such a decision is left up to the bodies of elders meeting in the Kingdom Hall. Additionally, some have inquired whether it is appropriate to install an Internet connection in the Kingdom Hall. We hope the following comments are helpful in this regard.
Since many publishers have Internet connections at home, there is likely not a great need to make extensive use of an Internet connection at the Kingdom Hall. For those congregations that decide to have an Internet connection, they should apply appropriate Internet security prac-tices, such as the following ones listed on page 28 of the August 2009 Awake!:
- Use antivirus software on your computer.
- Employ a spyware-detection program.
- Install a firewall.
- Keep all of the above continually updated, and install security updates for your appli-cations and operating system.
- Beware of links or attachments in e-mail or instant messages, especially if the mail is unsolicited and asks for personal information or for verification of a password.
- When transmitting sensitive data, such as credit card details, use encrypted connections, and log off the Web site when you have finished.
- Choose passwords that are hard to guess, and protect them.
- Do not copy or run software from unknown sources.
Additionally, Internet browsers provide various built-in security features, such as auto-matic pop-up blocking, privacy settings, flexibility to specify Web sites that should be blocked, Web site certificate validation, and so forth. Also, most Internet service providers offer some ad-vanced protection that may, for example, block fraudulent Web sites, prevent phishing attacks, put in place parental controls for blocking inappropriate (pornographic, violent) Web sites, and so forth. There is usually an additional monthly charge for these advanced security features.
If it is decided to install an Internet connection, use a login password to limit access. The Internet connection at the Kingdom Hall should be used specifically for congregation related ac-tivities, such as accessing the jw.org Web site, finding telephone numbers of interested ones in the field, and so forth.
We hope this information is helpful. Please accept an expression of our warm Christian love.
Your brothers,
cc: Traveling overseers
PS to secretary:
This letter should be retained in the congregation permanent file of policy letters. You may wish to update the congregation copy of
Index to Letters—For Bodies of Elders (S-22) at this time as well.
