Computers have become much more important and popular to our society in recent decades. The computer’s ability to perform so many tasks speedily and reliably makes it useful for a wide variety of purposes. Therefore much important information is stored on computers. Because people and organisations depend on computers every day for a variety of significant tasks, it is imperative that the systems which are used are protected from loss, damage and misuse. This essay identifies some potential risks to computer systems and software and the safeguards that can be taken to minimise these risks. A computer security risk is defined as any event or action that could cause a loss or damage to computer equipment, software, data and information, or …show more content…
Users often select weak passwords. The two major sources of weaknesses in passwords are easily guessed passwords based on knowledge of the user (e.g. wife’s maiden name) and passwords that are susceptible to dictionary attacks (i.e. brute-force guessing of passwords using a dictionary as the source of guesses).
Another type of method to gain unauthorised access is the exploitation of known security weaknesses. Two types of security weaknesses exist: configuration errors and security bugs. Configuration errors occur when a system is set up in such a way that unwanted exposure is allowed. Then, according to the configuration, the system is at risk from even legitimate actions. An example of this would be if a system “exports” a file system to the world (makes the contents of a file system available to all other systems on the network). Then any other machine can have full access to that file system.
Security bugs occur when unexpected actions are allowed on the system due to a loophole in some application program. An example would be sending a very long string of keystrokes to a screen locking program, thus causing the program to crash and leaving the system inaccessible.
A third method of gaining unauthorised access is networks spoofing. In network spoofing a system presents itself to the network as though it were a different system. Network spoofing occurs in the
In the article “Are Viruses Alive?,” Luis P. Villarreal discusses the effects of viruses on life, while presenting different angles as to whether or not they are alive themselves and arguing about the impact viruses have had on evolution. Through a deeper understanding of viruses and their functions, the scientific community may come to fully appreciate viruses, whether they are living or non-living in themselves, as significant evolutionary components.
One of the other failures that the book presents us is the user’s weak password practice and how the intruder took advantage of this is to gain super user privileges and created several user accounts by gaining root privileges. All it takes is a one-time access as super user to establish his base into the defenders zone. This book describes how the intruder took advantage of brute force method to hack user accounts and password. Also, the intruder was smart enough to steal the password information file and even managed to encrypt all the dictionary words by using the same encryption algorithm and then compared those words with the stolen encrypted passwords file to find out passwords of user accounts. The scientists/ researchers at the laboratories who are not aware of such kind of exploitations made intruder’s work easy by having easy to guess passwords, never bothered to change the passwords from time to time or in fact did not realize the importance of having strong passwords in order to maintain and protect their research data in a safe and secure way. Even today, not all the users realize the importance of having strong/secure passwords and we come across such instances where intruders exploit users ignorance. (For example, Two years ago, before I enrolled in MS-CS program, I did not know how brute force attacks work or
A computer is secure if you can depend on it and its software to behave as you expect I this assignment I will writer about how Linux provides security to you information. The major technical areas of computer security are usually represented by CIA confidentiality, integrity, and authentication or availability. It means that information cannot access by unauthorized people.
Privilege Escalation – when a user gets access to more resources or functionality than they are normally allowed, which is most often through known exploits or zero-day attacks against the local OS
As basic users, security is one feature that most of us overlook when it comes to operating systems until it is too late. In this paper we will discuss the security flaws within the Windows Operating system, and then discuss countermeasures to fix the system flaw.
A hacker attacks an easy target first, and then uses it to hide his identity and traces of launching attacks at more secured sites. The aim of an attack is to gain complete control of the system (in order to edit, delete, install or execute any file in any user’s directory), often by gaining access to a “ super-user” account. This will allow both maximum access and the ability to hide your presence.
Eavesdropping, breaking and entering, social engineering, malicious code, session hijacking, man-in-the-middle attacks, wireless hacking, SQL injections, web site attacks, and more.
For approximately three-thousand years, smallpox has ravaged and plagued the four corners of the globe. In fact, in the 17 th and 18 th centuries, it was claimed to be the most infectious disease in the West, with an astounding 90% mortality rate in America. It wasn't until 1796, with English surgeon Edward Jenner's smallpox vaccination, that the world saw relief from this devastating virus. However, even with this inoculation in use, the world continued to witness death from both the virus and the vaccine. In the year 1966, it was estimated that 10-15 million infected citizens world wide had passed away from smallpox that year alone ( “History” 12). As a result of these devastating numbers, in the following year, 1967, the World Health
Security vulnerabilities can be defined as an unintended flaw in the system that leaves opportunity for unauthorized access of malicious software such as viruses, Trojans, worms and other malwares. It can result from bugs in software and weak passwords. These require fixes in order to prevent the integrity of the system compromised by hackers or malwares. Hackers try to steal sensitive data such as corporate or personal information.
ANS: They found that chloroquine treatment did protect neuritis from becoming misshapen or damaged. It also showed that exposure to chloroquine the number of neuritis infected decreased as well.
In our networking classes this is a lesson that has been reminded to us over and over again by our trendy and very intelligent lecturer. As shown throughout the book the hackers are able to access various systems, like telephone systems and satellites to access the network across the world. Then they illegal gain access by using default user names and passwords.
So everybody in the school has become infected with some sort of virus? All I have on me is my phone and wallet. I will need a couple of items so I can escape from the school. The first thing I would need is a tool kit. The second thing I would need is a box of magazines. The third thing is very basic but duct tape. My forth pick is a knife; a descent sized one, but nothing fancy. My final item is my phone, this is an odd choice but all of these are essential for my plan. So assuming that I get to pick where I start the scenario I would start in the schools J.R.O.T.C room. All my pre-selected supplies on a table in the room. Then I would run over to the box of magazines and quickly start wrapping them in key areas to cover all my limbs and
Luke stared out at the lake, it was one of the only thing not mechanical in this world besides the wild mountains were stories say that in 2020 during the war they made bunkers to house troops and supplies. But those are just stories, that was 30 years ago. Today in the 2050s everything is teched out like the hover cars and the houses, everything is wired into the central system, a huge super chip, defended by guards and laser tanks, it controls everything. My personal opinion is that something bads gonna happen and we're all gonna die. But that's just my opinion. My sister thinks that we'll be fine she's a tech genius I’m more of a sports star I’m the fastest guy on our 12 year racing team. My sister also says I also have a
There are many risks, some more serious than others. Some examples of how our computer and systems could be affected by a cyber security incident include manmade or natural disasters, improper cyber security controls, or malicious users wreaking havoc.
Safety of information is the most valuable asset in any organization particular those who provide financial service to others. Threats can come from a variety of sources such as human threats, natural disasters and technical threats. By identifying the potential threats to the network, security measure can be taken to combat these threats, eliminate them or reduce the likelihood and impact if they should occur.