Computer Security
This is basically a branch of computer technology also referred to as information security as applied to computer systems and network infrastructures. The main objective behind computer security entails protecting information and property from natural disaster, corruption, or theft while at the same time allowing information and property to be accessible and productive to its legitimate users.
Most computer systems are targets for intruders because these very intruders want to access what is stored in these systems. Some of the possible target information in a computer system includes information such as bank account numbers, credit/debit cards, and social security numbers among other vital details. Whenever such kind of information is unlawfully obtained by an intruder, they can be used to make transactions illegally.
Intruders not only target money related information, they are also after computer resources such as fast internet connection, fast processing speed and huge hard disk space. These intruders have devised ways whereby they can use these particular resources to attack other systems on the network. It can be said that the more intruders use computer systems to facilitate their attacks, the more difficult it becomes for law enforcement agencies to figure out where the attack is originating from.
Intruders are very much inclined to attack home and small business computer systems because in most cases these systems are rarely secured and very easy to hack into.
Often an intruder accesses computer systems remotely by sending e-mail messages containing virus attachments that when a user unknowingly reads the email, they automatically activate the virus program hence creating a loophole which can be exploited by intruders to remotely access the computer system. In some other cases, intruders may take advantage of software vulnerabilities in order to gain access. Immediately these intruders gain access to the system and they often install spyware programs that enable them to continue using the computer system even if the original loopholes have been patched.
Securing the computer system
There are quite a number of tasks that system users need to undertake in order to ensure that their computer system is fully secured. These include:
Installing and using Antivirus programs
Antivirus applications come with the unique ability to search for the contents of each file and these softwares are programmed to look for some specific patterns that match a certain profile known as the virus signature. When the antivirus detects any file that matches this particular virus signature, the antivirus application will automatically provide several options on how to respond and this may include deleting the entire file, or just removing the offending patterns.
Ensure the system is patched
Most software vendors provide software patches which can be used to seal security loopholes in software applications. As a system user you have to periodically consult your software vendor to see if there are any available patches.
Ensure utmost care when reading e-mail attachments
Most unsolicited e-mails are usually sent to unsuspecting recipients and these mails may contain return addresses, provocative subjects, or something which encourages the recipient to open the e-mail immediately. Such a technique is known as social engineering. Social engineering is compounded by the fact that most e-mail recipients are curious and trusting to open and read their mails.
Installing firewalling programs
The firewall functions more or less like a guard on the computer network. This program comes with a unique ability to filter any unwanted traffic from the network and only allow for required traffic that is perceived to be legitimate.
Other computer security techniques entail backing up important files and folders, using strong authentication mechanisms, ensuring maximum care when downloading and installing applications and integrating file encryption programs and access controls.NSK2VZ4KNRW6
