Security Threats and Safety Measures
With the wide spread use of internet, networks and computers have become increasingly susceptible to threats. These threats destroy data as well the programs that computers use. The objective of these threats is to destroy the data and to steal the vital information stored in computers. This information is used by the attackers for their benefit.
Viruses:
It produces copies of itself and inserts them into other programs or files, in turn destroying the data and performing other malicious actions.
Macro viruses
Macro viruses can corrupt data, create new files, move text, flash colors, insert pictures,send files across the Internet, and format hard drives. Macro viruses are increasingly used as transport mechanisms to drop off even nastier bugs. Macro viruses modify registries,forward copies of it through emails, look for passwords, copy documents, and infect other programs
Example of macro Virus is Wazzo, W97M etc.
WormS
Worms are very similar to viruses in the manner that they are computer programs that replicate copies of themselves (usually to other computer systems via network connections)
Some examples of the worst Worms that impacted the web are as follows:
Jerusalem is one of the earliest worms that spread in 1987
In 2007 Storm Worm hit the computers. Once hit, your machine becomes part of a large botnet which performs automated tasks that range from gathering data on the host machine, to sending infected emails to others.
Since Worms spread mostly through the email attachments, the best ways to avoid them is using caution in opening emails. If the email is from an unidentified source, it is always best to delete it. Most of the time worms attach themselves to email
Trojan Horses
The Trojan program does not attach itself to the files like a virus nor replicate itself like a worm but it does provide unauthorized access to user’s computer.
They are mostly spread through internet downloads and online gaming programs.
This software is capable of taking over the functionality of your computer. An infected computer will begin to operate slowly and will exhibit pop-ups from time to time
The best way to avoid the Trojans is to adopt safe download practices.
Spyware
A Spyware as the name suggest is a program used to spy on the computer system. This program will try to get all the confidential and sensitive information such as your bank account numbers, passwords etc. Then this confidential data is misused to access user’s accounts. Spyware can also change the configuration of your computer, generally without obtaining your consent first
Once installed, the Spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.
SpyWare have the ability to monitor keystrokes, scan files on the hard drive, snoop other applications, such as chat programs or word processors
Some of the common Spywares are CoolWebSearch, Internet optimizer and Zango
Malware
Malware is short for “malicious software.” Malware is any kind of unwanted software that is installed without your adequate consent. The intent of the malware is to damage the data or functionality of the computer or network. In fact all the threats mentioned above such as virus, Trojans etc are examples of Malware
Spams
The term “spam” refers to unsolicited commercial email (UCE) or unsolicited bulk email (UBE). It is flooding the Internet with many copies of the same message, in an attempt to force the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it.
The most commonly seen spam includes the following:
Phishing scams, a very popular and dangerous form of email fraud
Foreign bank scams or advance fee fraud schemes
Other “Get Rich Quick” or “Make Money Fast” (MMF) schemes
Hackers and Crackers
Hackers were the gifted programmers who gain access to the systems or network to show case the security loop holes to the administrators.
Cracker was coined for such activist who had intentions of doing malicious activities.
Anti Virus tools
Anti Virus tools are the software programs that help us detect the virus in emails or files and hence protect our computers. These tools can detect virus, worms, Trojans as well as spyware and adware. They block us from visiting unsafe websites, and also downloading unsafe programs from such websites. They protect us from identity thefts and threats from phishing websites. There are several commercial antivirus software available such
as Norton, Mcafee, K7, Quickheal etc.
Ethical Hacking
Hacking is nothing but taking unauthorized access of Data into the System or into the Network. Everybody knows that there are three types of hackers .Black Hat,White Hat,Gray Hat.now we know what hacking is ,now lets understand the Term Ethical ,its nothing but being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct practice, So here we can Say Ethical hacking is practice done by Ethical Hackers with the permission of Organization or Authority which can be useful to avoid the Future Hacking of System and Network for malicious purpose.
WIFI Hotspot
It is the public Place where many users can have access to free internet access .
BotNet
Now Lets understand what is Botnet? A Botnet is a network of computer infected with Malware that response to an attacker to perform any activity they want. These infected Computers also known as Zombie. So How does it Spread and Why? it spread through viruses ,Trojan horse .it can be used for commit crimes ,financial fraud, malware distribution ,identity theft,mass mailing of spam,storing illegal content,Collapse the websites through massive attacks on network. With Single Botnet Cyber Criminals connect to many computer in a second and make use of users sensitive data ,Even users don’t know that they are infected.
Now the Question is How we can Protect our-self from Botnet?
1.Have Firewall Active.
2.Download Software or any Digital content from trusted Resources .
You may be interested in:
Cyber Security MCQs
Cyber Security Online Tests
Cryptography in the Networking MCQs
Network Security MCQs
Security in Internet – IPSEC-SSL-TLS-PGP-VPN-FIREWALLS MCQs