Computer Security Risks
A computer security risk is any event or action that could cause a loss of or damage to computer hardware, software, data, information, or processing capability.
A cybercrime is an online or Internet-based illegal act.
-Hackers
-Crackers
-Script Kiddies
-Corporate Spies
-Unethical Employees
-Cyberextortionists
-Cyberterrorists
Internet and Network Attacks
An online security service is a Web site that evaluates your computer to check for Internet and e-mail vulnerabilities.
- Computer virus - Affects a computer negatively by altering the way the computer works.
- Worm - Copies itself repeatedly, using up resources and possibly shutting down the computer or network.
- Trojan Horse - A malicious program that hides within or looks like a legitimate program.
- Rootkit - Program that hides in a computer and allows someone from a remote location to take full control.
An infected computer has one or more of the following symptoms:
- Operating system runs much slower than usual
- Available memory is less than expected
- Files become corrupted
- Screen displays unusual message or image
- Music or unusual sound plays randomly
- Existing programs and files disappear
- Programs or files do not work properly
- Unknown programs or files mysteriously appear
- System properties change
- Operating system does not start up
- Operating system shuts down unexpected
- -A botnet is a group of compromised computers connected to a network. A compromised computer is known as a zombie.
-A back door is a program or set of instructions in a program that allow users to bypass security controls.
-Spoofing is a technique intruders use to make their network or Internet transmission appear legitimate
-A firewall is hardware and/or software that protects a network's resources from intrusion.
-Intrusion detection software
- Analyzes all network traffic
- Assesses system vulnerabilities
- Identifies any unauthorized intrusions
- Notifies network administrators of suspicious behavior patterns or system breaches
- -Honeypot
- Vulnerable computer that is set up to entice an intruder to break into it
Unauthorized Access and Use
Unauthorized access is the use of a computer or network without permission.
Unauthorized use is the use of a computer or its data for unapproved or possibly illegal activities.
-Access controls define who can access a computer, when they can access it, and what actions they can take.
- Two-phase processes called identification and authentication
- User name
- Password
- Passphrase
- CAPTCHA
A possessed object is any item that you must carry to gain access to a computer or computer facility.
-Often are used in combination with a personal identification number (PIN)
A biometric device authenticates a person’s identity by translating a personal characteristic into a digital code that is compared with a digital code in a computer
Digital forensics is the discovery, collection, and analysis of evidence found on computers and networks
Many areas use digital forensics :
- Law enforcement
- Criminal prosecutors
- Military intelligence
- Insurance agencies.
Hardware Theft and Vandalism
Hardware theft is the act of stealing computer equipment.
Hardware vandalism is the act of defacing or destroying computer equipment.
To help reduce the chances of theft, companies and schools use a variety of security measures :
- Physical access controls
- Alarm systems
- Cables to lock equipment
- Real time location system
- Passwords, possessed objects, and biometrics
Software Theft
Software theft occurs when someone
- Steals software media
- Illegally copies a program
- intentionally erases programs
- Illegally registers and/or activates a program
A single-user license agreement typically contains the following conditions:
-Permitted to
- Install the software on one computer
- Make one copy of the software
- Remove the software from your computer before giving it away or selling it.
-Not permitted to
- Install the software on a network
- Give copies to friends or colleagues while continuing to use the software
- Export the software
- Rent or lease the software
Information Theft
Information theft occurs when someone steals personal or confidential information
Encryption is a process of converting readable data into unreadable characters to prevent unauthorized access.
A digital signature is an encrypted code that a person, Web site, or organization attaches to an electronic message to verify the identity of the sender.
-Popular security techniques include:
- Digital Certificates
- Transport Layer Security (TLS)
- Secure HTTP
- VPN
System Failure
A system failure is the prolonged malfunction of a computer.
A variety of factors can lead to system failure, including :
- Aging hardware
- Natural disasters
- Electrical power problems.
- Errors in computers programs
Two ways to protect from system failures caused by electrical power variations include surge protectors and uninterruptable power supplies (UPS).
Backing Up - The Ultimate Safeguard
A backup is a duplicate of a file, program, or disk that can be used if the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed. To back up a file means to make a copy of it
Offsite backups are stored in a location separate from the computer site.
Two categories of backup :
- Full backup
- selective backup
Wireless Security
In additional to using firewalls, some safeguards improve security of wireless networks:
- A wireless access point should not broadcast an SSID
- Change the default SSID
- Use WPA or WPA2 security standards.
- Configure a WAP so that only certain devices can access it
Ethics and Society
Computer ethics are the moral guidelines that govern the use of computers and information systems.
Intellectual property rights are the rights to which creators are entitled for their work.
An IT code of conduct is a written guideline that helps determine whether a specific computer action is ethical or unethical.
Green computing involves reducing the electricity and environmental waste while using a computer.
Information privacy refers to the right of individuals and companies to deny or restrict the collection and use of information about them
A cookie is a small text file that a Web server stores on your computer.
Websites using cookies for some reason:
- Allow for personalization
- Target advertisements
- Store users passwords.
- Assists with online shopping
- Track how users visit a site
Spam is an unsolicited e-mail message or newsgroup posting.
E-mail filtering blocks e-mail messages from designated sources
Anti-spam programs attempt to remove spam before it reaches your inbox.
Phishing is a scam in which a perpetrator sends an official looking e-mail message that attempts to obtain your personal and financial information
Pharming is a scam where a perpetrator attempts to obtain your personal and financial information via spoofing
Social engineering is defined as gaining unauthorized access or obtaining confidential information by taking advantages of trust and naivety
Employee monitoring involves the use of computers to observe, record, and review an employee's use of a computer
Content filtering is the process of restricting access to certain material on the Web
Web filtering software restricts access to specified Web sites.
Computer Security Risks
A computer security risk is any event or action that could cause a loss of or damage to computer hardware, software, data, information, or processing capability.
A cybercrime is an online or Internet-based illegal act.
-Hackers
-Crackers
-Script Kiddies
-Corporate Spies
-Unethical Employees
-Cyberextortionists
-Cyberterrorists
Internet and Network Attacks
An online security service is a Web site that evaluates your computer to check for Internet and e-mail vulnerabilities.
- Computer virus - Affects a computer negatively by altering the way the computer works.
- Worm - Copies itself repeatedly, using up resources and possibly shutting down the computer or network.
- Trojan Horse - A malicious program that hides within or looks like a legitimate program.
- Rootkit - Program that hides in a computer and allows someone from a remote location to take full control.
An infected computer has one or more of the following symptoms:
- Operating system runs much slower than usual
- Available memory is less than expected
- Files become corrupted
- Screen displays unusual message or image
- Music or unusual sound plays randomly
- Existing programs and files disappear
- Programs or files do not work properly
- Unknown programs or files mysteriously appear
- System properties change
- Operating system does not start up
- Operating system shuts down unexpected
- -A botnet is a group of compromised computers connected to a network. A compromised computer is known as a zombie.
-A back door is a program or set of instructions in a program that allow users to bypass security controls.
-Spoofing is a technique intruders use to make their network or Internet transmission appear legitimate
-A firewall is hardware and/or software that protects a network's resources from intrusion.
-Intrusion detection software
- Analyzes all network traffic
- Assesses system vulnerabilities
- Identifies any unauthorized intrusions
- Notifies network administrators of suspicious behavior patterns or system breaches
- -Honeypot
- Vulnerable computer that is set up to entice an intruder to break into it
Unauthorized Access and Use
Unauthorized access is the use of a computer or network without permission.
Unauthorized use is the use of a computer or its data for unapproved or possibly illegal activities.
-Access controls define who can access a computer, when they can access it, and what actions they can take.
- Two-phase processes called identification and authentication
- User name
- Password
- Passphrase
- CAPTCHA
A possessed object is any item that you must carry to gain access to a computer or computer facility.
-Often are used in combination with a personal identification number (PIN)
A biometric device authenticates a person’s identity by translating a personal characteristic into a digital code that is compared with a digital code in a computer
Digital forensics is the discovery, collection, and analysis of evidence found on computers and networks
Many areas use digital forensics :
- Law enforcement
- Criminal prosecutors
- Military intelligence
- Insurance agencies.
Hardware Theft and Vandalism
Hardware theft is the act of stealing computer equipment.
Hardware vandalism is the act of defacing or destroying computer equipment.
To help reduce the chances of theft, companies and schools use a variety of security measures :
- Physical access controls
- Alarm systems
- Cables to lock equipment
- Real time location system
- Passwords, possessed objects, and biometrics
Software Theft
Software theft occurs when someone
- Steals software media
- Illegally copies a program
- intentionally erases programs
- Illegally registers and/or activates a program
A single-user license agreement typically contains the following conditions:
-Permitted to
- Install the software on one computer
- Make one copy of the software
- Remove the software from your computer before giving it away or selling it.
-Not permitted to
- Install the software on a network
- Give copies to friends or colleagues while continuing to use the software
- Export the software
- Rent or lease the software
Information Theft
Information theft occurs when someone steals personal or confidential information
Encryption is a process of converting readable data into unreadable characters to prevent unauthorized access.
A digital signature is an encrypted code that a person, Web site, or organization attaches to an electronic message to verify the identity of the sender.
-Popular security techniques include:
- Digital Certificates
- Transport Layer Security (TLS)
- Secure HTTP
- VPN
System Failure
A system failure is the prolonged malfunction of a computer.
A variety of factors can lead to system failure, including :
- Aging hardware
- Natural disasters
- Electrical power problems.
- Errors in computers programs
Two ways to protect from system failures caused by electrical power variations include surge protectors and uninterruptable power supplies (UPS).
Backing Up - The Ultimate Safeguard
A backup is a duplicate of a file, program, or disk that can be used if the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed. To back up a file means to make a copy of it
Offsite backups are stored in a location separate from the computer site.
Two categories of backup :
- Full backup
- selective backup
Wireless Security
In additional to using firewalls, some safeguards improve security of wireless networks:
- A wireless access point should not broadcast an SSID
- Change the default SSID
- Use WPA or WPA2 security standards.
- Configure a WAP so that only certain devices can access it
Ethics and Society
Computer ethics are the moral guidelines that govern the use of computers and information systems.
Intellectual property rights are the rights to which creators are entitled for their work.
An IT code of conduct is a written guideline that helps determine whether a specific computer action is ethical or unethical.
Green computing involves reducing the electricity and environmental waste while using a computer.
Information privacy refers to the right of individuals and companies to deny or restrict the collection and use of information about them
A cookie is a small text file that a Web server stores on your computer.
Websites using cookies for some reason:
- Allow for personalization
- Target advertisements
- Store users passwords.
- Assists with online shopping
- Track how users visit a site
Spam is an unsolicited e-mail message or newsgroup posting.
E-mail filtering blocks e-mail messages from designated sources
Anti-spam programs attempt to remove spam before it reaches your inbox.
Phishing is a scam in which a perpetrator sends an official looking e-mail message that attempts to obtain your personal and financial information
Pharming is a scam where a perpetrator attempts to obtain your personal and financial information via spoofing
Social engineering is defined as gaining unauthorized access or obtaining confidential information by taking advantages of trust and naivety
Employee monitoring involves the use of computers to observe, record, and review an employee's use of a computer
Content filtering is the process of restricting access to certain material on the Web
Web filtering software restricts access to specified Web sites.
