Basic Security Fundamentals

Techno geek says "HELLO"

Computer and network security are critical issues for any technology firm. There are wide ranging cases of hacking and cracking computer systems all around the world. Technology firms are investing considerable money in security systems as these systems are critical to the functioning of the organisation and hold huge amounts of valuable data.

Heres a primer on Security:

Anti-spyware program
This is a program that protects your PC against spyware and helps to keep your computer and personal details secure.

Anti-virus software
This is software that is designed to detect viruses and prevent them from infecting your machine. Often these viruses are transmitted via email.

Browser
Browser software provides you with the means to view a web page. Without browser software, you would not be able to surf the Internet.

Computer virus
A computer virus is a piece of code that is secretly introduced into a system in order to corrupt it or destroy data. Often viruses are hidden in other programs or documents and when opened, the virus is let loose.

Cookies
This is a collection of information, usually including a username and the current date and time, stored on the local computer of a person using the Internet. It is used by websites to identify users who have previously registered or visited the site.

Encryption
Encryption converts data into an encoded form before it is sent over the Internet. This prevents unauthorised access to the information.

Firewall
Any of a number of security schemes that prevent unauthorised users from gaining access to a computer network or that monitors transfers of information to and from the network or personal computer.

Identity theft
This is the crime of obtaining the personal or financial information of another person for the purpose of assuming that person's name to make transactions or purchases.

Keystroke logging
This involves the capturing of information that you type on the keyboard by installed hardware. This is often used by fraudsters to capture personal details including passwords.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
This is a protocol that provides a high level of security for communication over the Internet.

Spam
Unsolicited email, often of a commercial nature, sent indiscriminately to multiple mailing lists or individuals.

Spyware
This is software that secretly gathers information about a user while he/she navigates the Internet. This information is normally used for advertising purposes. Spyware can also gather information about email addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.

Trojan horse
This is a program that disguises itself as another program. Similar to a virus, these programs are hidden and cause an unwanted effect. They differ from viruses because they are normally not designed to replicate like a virus.

Virus
A computer virus is a piece of code that is secretly introduced into a system in order to corrupt it or destroy data. Often viruses are hidden in other programs or documents and when opened, the virus is let loose.

Worm
This is a special type of virus that spreads without any user interaction, typically by exploiting a flaw in popular software.

Firewall
A system or combination of systems that enforces a boundary between two or more networks, ie, an electronic gate that limits access between networks in accordance with local security policy.