Chapter 11 : Manage Computing Securely, Safely and Ethically

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.

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: Files become corrupted, Available memory is less than expected, System properties change, Operating system shuts down unexpectedly.
• 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.

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. i) User name ii) Password iii) CAPTCHA
• 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 : i) Alarm systems, ii) Cables to lock equipment, iii) Real time location system, iv) Physical access controls.

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: i) 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. 
• Some software requires product activation to function fully.

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.

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.
• 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.

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.

Ethics and Society

• Computer ethics are the moral guidelines that govern the use of computers and information systems.
• Information accuracy is a concern.

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. Reasons for this web sites cookies are : i) Allow for personalization ii) Target advertisements iii) Store users passwords.
• 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.
• 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.