Computer Security

Computer security and its types

Define computer security. Mention its type.

The protection or securing of computer data, information, software, and hardware from being damaged or lost is known as computer security. Its types are:

Hardware security
Software security

Define hardware security. Give any four measures to protect the computer hardware.

The protection or securing computer from physical damage or loss is known as hardware security. It deals with the protection of computer hardware components and its peripheral. Following are the measures of hardware security.

Regular maintenance
Dust free environment
Insurance
Protection from fire
Protection from theft
Power protection device
Air conditioning.

Define software security. Give any four measures to protect the computer software.

The protection or securing of computer data, information, and software being damaged or lost knowingly or unknowingly is known as computer security.

Measures of software security
Keeping password
Backup
Use of antivirus
Fragmentation
Scandisk

Computer viruses affect and cause

Computer virus: It is a computer program that replicates(multiplies) itself and destroys data, files, and programs of our computer system. Types of computer viruses are

Boot sector: Infects master boot record (MBR) of our computer system. (Booting refers to starting of computer system)
File infector or program infector virus: Infect programs or executable files (.exe, .dmg, installer files)
Multipartite virus: Infects both boot sector and application programs.
Macro virus: Infects certain files created using macros such as MS Word, MS Excel, etc
Stealth virus: This can hide from being detected. It’s hard to detect
Trojan horse: They do not replicate but are installed once then it starts malfunctioning.
WORM: Write Once Read Many

Purpose of creating virus:

To expose programming ability.
To protect software piracy.
To destroy data and information.
To entertain users.
To hack and crack software.

Causes of computer virus/Reason for transmission

Exchanging data and files from another computer.
Opening spam and links on the network
Using pirated software.
Sharing computer drives and storage.
Using unauthorized web applications.

Effects/Symptoms of computer virus

The program takes a long time to load.
An unwanted message appears on the screen.
Change in file size and directory.
Corrupts system data and files.
Computer boots frequently unnecessarily.

Precaution/Safety measure/Protection of computer virus

Use updated antivirus.
Don’t open unauthorized emails and links on the internet.
Don’t use pirated software.
Back up data, files and folders if necessary.
Use a password when not in use.
Don’t share files and folders from infected computers.

Antivirus: It is a utility software that helps to detect and eliminates computer virus from the computer. For eg, AVG (Antivirus Guard), NOD 32, Norton, Kaspersky, Panda antivirus, PC-Cillin, Avast, etc

Important Terms related to Computer Security

SMPS: Switch Mode Power Supply
CVT: Constant Voltage Transformer
CCTV: Close Circuit Television
Password: Secret word used to prevent unauthorized access
Backup: Duplicate copies of the original data files, so that we can access them even if the original data gets lost or damaged.
Fragmentation: The process of scattering part of the same disk over a random location
Defragmentation: The process of rewriting part of the file to a contiguous sector on a disk. It increases disk access speed i.e increase disk performance.
Scandisk: Repairing harddisk.
Antivirus: Software used to detect and eliminate viruses from our computer system. Eg, AVG, Norton, NOD32, Kaspersky, etc
Power protection device: UPS, Volt guard, Spike guard, CVT
UPS: Uninterruptable Power Supply provides power backup when there is an electric power failure.
Volt guard/CVT: They regulate incoming voltage and maintain a uniform power supply. They do not provide backup power.