Threats to data security

Computer virus is a computer program:

• created by hackers

• cause harm and takes data from computer

• most danger is Trojan

• it can replicate itself like human virus

• needs and use operating system to work

• attach to another program

Trojan horse is a computer virus:

• hides and appears to be something which is needed by user

• designed to give a full control of a PC to another PC via internet

• make copies themselves

• steal data and spy

• harmful for our computer, may destroy even hard drive

Worm is computer program but not the virus:

• Stand-alone

• Replicates itself

• Can spread to other computers using computer network

• Don’t need to attach itself to an existing program

Phishing is:

• Way of attempting information such as: username, password, credit card details

• Usually is carried out by email or instant messages

• Looks the same like eg. Lloyds Tsb website but only domain is different. People type their details which are stolen and used by people from outside

Spyware is:

• Malicious software – malware

• Installed on a computer system

• Takes data about user without their knowledge

• Can be difficult to detect as is hidden

• Some spyware may change computer settings

• Redirect websites

Adware is:

• Advertising supporting software

• Pop up windows

• The main goal is to generate revenue for their author

• Is harmless, however may include spyware such as key loggers

Hacking means:

• Finding out weaknesses in the system and exploit it

Hacker is:

• A person who exploits our computer,

• Can have many reasons to do that: profit, protest, challenge

Denial of service DoS attacks:

• Attempt to make computer or network unavailable to it’s users.

• Usually focused on preventing website or service from functioning

• Attacks are usually made on high-profile web servers (banks, payment websites, e-commerce websites)

Physical threats:

• Hardware can be stolen or lost, especially memory sticks

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Protection by user:

• Use different password for different sites

• Always check a website for the padlock symbol

• Beware of unsolicited/ unknown senders of email

Protection hardware and software:

• Firewall – protects computer system from attacks and threats. This can be software like McAfee or hardware (very expensive tricky to set up boxes)

Antivirus software

• Detects virus before it will enter on our computer

• Can automatically quarantine it or will send a message to the user asking what action should be taken

• Keep it up to date

• Scans can be set to automatically scan our computer once in a week on Sunday at 6pm

• These scans will detect any viruses that entered our computer

Anti-spam software:

• Anti-virus software detects spam as well

• Email spam is our junk mail

• Spam can be serious security problem as can include Trojans and other viruses

Data encryption software:

• Encrypts data, so only person who has encryption code can read that data