COMPUTER SECURITYInformation Systems & Literacy Presentation

Outline

What is computer security and why it matters Threats How computers become insecure

Precautions to take Recommendations

What about Macs? Conclusion Summary Questions Works Cited

Computer Security

Process of preventing and detecting unauthorized use of your computer Prevention helps you stop intruders Detection helps you determine if someone

attempted to access your information and whether it was successful

Why It Matters

We use computers for everything Banking Entertainment Work School Productivity Shopping Communication

Responsibility – you could put others at risk

Threats

Malware – A generic name for all malicious programs Adware – designed to show advertisements. It often

reports personal information back to its owners – privacy can be violated

Spyware – installed on your computer without your consent to monitor or control your computer use

Rogue – disguised as a trustworthy program (ex. anti-spyware)

Virus – multiplies and is capable to attach itself to other programs after being executed

Trojan – pretends to have a particular function, but that only shows its real purpose after execution (often destructive) - can’t multiply

Threats (continued) Phishing – a scam

where Internet fraudsters send or pop-up messages to lure personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims. Ignorance –

significant part Less than 50% of

Americans even know what phishing is

Threats – Phishing Example

Facebook Conversation

Facebook Conversation (cont.)

How Computers Become Insecure Computers are made secure

Firewall – keeps the unwanted out while allowing appropriate traffic in and out of the computer

Recent updates No viruses, spyware or malware

The user and operator Visiting unknown/ dangerous websites Don’t update or patch system and software Open links and attachments in emails from

unknown senders

Action Steps

Essential programs to have installed Anti-virus software Firewall program Anti-spyware and/or malware software

Frequent Updates Operating system and software Automatic Updates

Wary of emails from unknown senders Attachments & Links – Don’t left click or open Known sender – if unsure, just ask them before

opening

Action Steps (continued)

Backup What, When, Where and Where?

Backup any files that you can’t replicate Backup as frequently as possible Backup on whatever you have – CD-ROMs,

external hard drives, Internet, flash drives, SD cards

Store the media in a safe, known place

Action Steps (continued)

Secure Your Passwords The Strong Test – Is it strong enough ( length &

content) The Unique Test: Is it unique & unrelated? The Practical Test: Can you remember it ? The Recent Test: Have you changed it recently? Use passwords on your home computer and

services used on the Internet Combine upper & lowercase Numbers & punctuation Can’t be found in the dictionary

Action Steps (continued)

Use caution when downloading & installing programs Shareware – Paid for software (Microsoft Office) Freeware – Free software (Adobe Reader) Open Source – Free and “Open” Software

(Firefox) Questions to ask:

What is it? What does it do? Do I need it? Where is it coming from? Is it worth it?

Recommendations

Anti-virus Software Avast Free Antivirus Avira AntiVir Personal – Free Antivirus Microsoft Security Essentials

Spyware removal Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Firewall Comodo Internet Security Provided Windows/Mac firewall

Backup Windows Backup & Restore Center – Default (backup on External HDD/ CD-ROM) SyncBack – Freeware (backup on External HDD/ CD-ROM) SugarSync – Online Backup Live Mesh – Online Backup

Web Browser Add-ons/Plug-ins Web of Trust for Firefox, Internet Explorer and Chrome LastPass Password Manager for Firefox, IE and Chrome

www.download.com

Macintosh Computers Who feels Macs are more secure than PCs? More than half of Americans believe that PCs are very or

extremely vulnerable to cybercrime attacks, while only 20% say the same about Macs

The survey of more than 1,000 people found that while both PC & Mac users perceive the Mac as being safer, Mac users are victims of cybercrime just as frequently as PC users.

Mac Computers (continued)

It isn’t the operating system or computer – it’s the user

Don’t fall for the marketing techniques Apple uses to entice consumers to buy their product. Macs can get viruses too At the 2009 CanSec-West conference a security

researcher broke into a mac within 10 seconds through flaw in the Mac internet browser, Safari (Discover Mag)

It is up to the user and operator of the computer to stay safe online

Conclusion

Be aware Research Know the risks Don’t trust everything you see on the

Internet Be prepared

Have updated software and operating system Use an anti-virus and protect yourself Backup your files Use the web and its services responsibly

Summary

Computer security prevents and detects unauthorized use of your computer

Computer security matters because your information matters

Users’ lack of knowledge or care is what truly causes security issues in computers

Have a plan and action steps to ensure safe use of your computer

Macs are great, but don’t buy one for security reasons, buy it because its what you want

There are several types of threats out there, but you can beat them all with one stick – awareness and preparation

Questions

Works Cited Coffey, Rebecca. "20 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT COMPUTER HACKING." Discover

30.10 (2009): 80. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Web. 16 Feb. 2010. "Home Computer Security." http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/.

November 22, 2002 . Carnegie Mellon University, Web. 16 Feb 2010. <http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/>.

"Home Network Security." CERT. 27 Feb 2006. Carnegie Mellon University, Web. 16 Feb 2010. <http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/home_networks.html>.

Mills, Elinor. "In their words: Experts weigh in on Mac vs. PC security." InSecurity Complex (2010): 1. Web. 16 Feb 2010. <http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10444561-245.html>.

Abrams, Randy. "Once Upon a Cybercrime." ESET Threat Blog (2009): 1. Web. 16 Feb 2010. <http://www.eset.com/threat-center/blog/2009/11/16/once-upon-a-cybercrime%E2%80%A6>.

"Description of Malware." Malwarebytes. 2010. Malwarebytes Corporation, Web. 16 Feb 2010. <http://www.malwarebytes.org/malwarenet.php?name=Adware.MyWebSearch>.

"Phishing." OnGuard Online. Feb 2008. OnGuard Online, Web. 16 Feb 2010. <http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/phishing.aspx>.

"Spyware." OnGuard Online. Feb 2008. OnGuard Online, Web. 16 Feb 2010. <http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/spyware.aspx>.

"Security Starter Kit." CNET Download.com. Jan 2010. CNET, Web. 16 Feb 2010. <http://download.cnet.com/2701-2023_4-6-1.html?tag=page;page>.

"Confused man about a virus alert ." Shutterstock Images. Web. 16 Feb 2010. "Recognizing and Avoiding Scams." Howstuffworks. Web. 17 Feb 2010.

<http://computer.howstuffworks.com/5-internet-security-videos1.htm>.