Chapter 8: Computer Security and Privacy. 2 Learning Objectives Explain why all computer users should be concerned about computer security. List some

Chapter 8:

Computer Security and Privacy

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Learning Objectives Explain why all computer users should be

concerned about computer security. List some risks associated with hardware loss,

damage, and system failure, and understand ways to safeguard a PC against these risks.

Define software piracy and digital counterfeiting and explain how they may be prevented.

Explain what information privacy is and why computer users should be concerned about it.

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Learning Objectives Describe some privacy concerns regarding

databases, electronic profiling, spam, and telemarketing, and identify ways individuals can protect their privacy.

Discuss several types of electronic surveillance and monitoring and list ways individuals can protect their privacy.

Discuss the status of security and privacy legislation.

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Overview This chapter covers:

Why computer security is important Security concerns related to hardware loss and

damage and precautions that can be taken Security concerns on Internet and Network attacks

and precautions that can be taken A discussion of software piracy and digital

counterfeiting and steps to reduce the occurrence of them

Why information privacy is important Possible risks for personal privacy violations and

precautions to safeguard one’s privacy Discussion of legislation related to computer security

and privacy

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Why Be Concerned About Computer Security?

There are a number of security concerns related to computers that users should be aware of, including: Having a PC stolen

Internet and Network Attacks

Losing important data

Losing contact lists

Pirated or counterfeited products

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Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure

Hardware loss: Can occur when a portable PC, USB flash drive, mobile device, or other piece of hardware is stolen or lost by the owner

Hardware theft: One of the most obvious types of hardware loss Occurs when hardware is stolen from an individual or an

organization Hardware can be stolen from homes, businesses, cars, airports,

hotels, etc. Often for the value of the hardware, but increasingly for the

information that might be contained on the hardware C level attacks are growing

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Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure

Hardware damage: Can be accidental or intentional

System failure: The complete malfunction of a computer system Can be due to a hardware problem, software

problem, or computer virus Can be due to a natural disaster or planned

attack

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Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure

Use door and computer equipment locks Cable locks Security slots

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Use encryption to protect data Increasingly used with USB flash drives,

notebook PCs, hard drives, etc. Full disk encryption (FDE): Everything on

storage medium is encrypted Self-encrypting hard drive: A hard drive using

FDE

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Computer tracking software: Used to find a PC after it is lost or stolen Sends out identifying data via the Internet Law enforcement can use this data to recover the PC Most often used with PCs but also available for other

devices Kill switch: Software used to destroy sensitive data

on a stolen or lost PC Other precautions:

Alarm software, tamper evident labels, etc. Common sense

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Proper hardware care: Needed to prevent damage Ruggedized PCs: Designed for more abuse than

conventional hardware

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Surge suppressor: Protects hardware from damage due to electrical fluctuations

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS): Provides continuous power to a computer system for a period of time after the power goes off

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Also: Watch dust, moisture,

static, heat, etc. Avoid head crash Stop USB devices

before removing Use screen protectors,

jewel cases, etc.

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Backup and disaster recovery plans: Both businesses and individuals should use

appropriate backup procedures Continuous data protection (CDP): Enables data

backups to be made on a continual basis Backup media needs to be secured

Data storage companies store backup media at secure remote locations

Online backup is another possibility Disaster-recovery plan: Spells out what an

organization will do to prepare for and recover from a disruptive event

Hot sites

INTERNET & NETWORK ATTACKS Computer Viruses, worms and Trojan Horses Are classified as malware (malicious

software) Computer virus- potentially damaging

computer program that affects or infects a computer negatively by altering the way computer works without the user knowledge or permission. Once the virus infects the computer it can spread throughout and damage files, system software

INTERNET & NETWORK ATTACKS A worm - is a program that copies itself

repeatedly, for example in memory or on a network using up resources and possibly shutting down the computer or network

A Trojan Horse – is a program that hides within looks like legitimate program. A certain condition or action usually triggers the Trojan horse. A Trojan horse does not replicate itself to other computers

INTERNET & NETWORK ATTACKS Computer infected has one or more

following symptoms: Screen displays unusual message or image Music or unusual sound plays randomly Available memory is less than expected Existing programs and files disappear Files become corrupted Programs or files do not work properly Unknown programs or files mysteriously

appear System properties change

INTERNET & NETWORK ATTACKS Malware deliver their payload on a

computer in four basic ways: Opens an infected files Runs an infected program Boots the computer with infected removable

media inserted in a drive or plugged in a port Connects an unprotected computer to a

network

INTERNET & NETWORK ATTACKS Tips for preventing virus, worm and Trojan

horse (malware) infections: Never start a computer with removable media

inserted in the drives or plugged in the ports unless the media are uninfected

Never open an email attachment unless you are expecting it and it is from a trusted source. Turn off message preview

Set the macro security in programs so you can enable or disable macros. Enable macros only if the document is from a trusted source and you are expecting it

Install an antivirus program on all of your computers. Update the software regularly. Obtain updates to the virus signature files on a regular basis

Check all downloaded programs for viruses, worms, or Trojan horses. This malware often is placed in seemingly innocent programs, so it will affect a large number of users

If the antivirus program flags an e-mail attachment as infected, delete the attachment immediately

Before using any removable media, use the antivirus scan program to check the media for infection. Incorporate this procedure even for shrink-wrapped software from major developers. Some commercial software has been infected and distributed to unsuspecting users this way

Install a personal firewall program.

Tips for preventing virus, worm and Trojan horse (malware) infections:

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Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting

Software piracy: Unauthorized copying of a computer program Widespread, global problem Occurs when:

Individuals make illegal copies of software to give to friends

Businesses or individuals install software on more than the number of computers allowed according to the end-user license agreement (EULA)

Sellers install unlicensed copies on PCs sold to consumers Large-scale operations in which programs and packaging

are illegally duplicated and sold as supposedly legitimate products

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Digital counterfeiting: The use of computers to make illegal copies of currency, checks, collectibles, and other items Often scanned and printed or color-copied

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Protection Against Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting

Protection against software piracy: Educating businesses and consumers Strengthening antipiracy laws Holograms: Printed text or images attached to

a product that change their appearance when the product is tilted

Mandatory product registration/activation Watching online auction sites/lawsuits

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Protecting against digital counterfeiting New currency designs

Microprinting, watermarks, security thread, etc. Special paper is used with U.S. currency

Identifying technology included in digital imaging hardware

Digital watermarks: Subtle alteration to a digital item that is not noticeable but that can be retrieved to identify the owner of the item

Also can use: Holograms, RFID tags, and other hard-to-reproduce

content

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Why Be Concerned AboutInformation Privacy?

Privacy: State of being concealed or free from unauthorized intrusion

Information privacy: Rights of individuals and companies to control how information about them is collected and used

Computers add additional privacy challenges Many data breaches recently due to lost or stolen hardware,

carelessness with documents containing sensitive data, database breaches, etc.

Businesses need to be concerned with the expense, damage to reputation, and possible lawsuits

Web activity and e-mail privacy was discussed in Chapter 8; other privacy concerns are discussed next

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Databases, Electronic Profiling, Spam, and Other Marketing Activities

Marketing database: Collection of data about people, used for marketing purposes Data obtained through online and offline purchases,

public information, etc. Beginning to be used in conjunction with Web activities

Government database: Collection of data about people, collected and maintained by the government Tax information, Social Security earnings, personal

health records, marriage and divorce information Some information is confidential, other is public

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Electronic profiling Using electronic means to collect a variety of in-depth

information about an individual

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Privacy policy: Discloses how information you provide will be used Included on many Web sites

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Spam and Other Marketing Activities Spam: Unsolicited, bulk e-mail sent over the Internet

Often involves health-related products, fraudulent business opportunities, pornography, etc.

Ads from companies a person has done business with are also considered to be spam by many

Appearing via instant messaging (spim) Also delivered via mobile

phones and fax machines Spam legislation enacted

some regulations regarding spam

Other annoyances Pop-up ads Pop-under ads Telemarketing

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Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information

Safeguard your e-mail address Use a throw-away e-mail address (an extra e-mail address that

you can use for activities that might result in spam) Get a second e-mail address from your ISP or from Hotmail,

Yahoo! Mail, or Gmail Can stop using it

and get a new one when needed

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Be cautious of revealing personal information Read a Web site’s privacy

policy Can use privacy software,

such as the free Privacy Bird program

Do not supply personal information to people in chat rooms

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Avoid putting too many personal details on your Web site

Be wary of sites offering prizes in exchange for personal information

Can use an anonymous Web browsing service, such as Anonymizer

Supply only the required information in registration forms

Delete your browsing history and e-mail settings when using a public computer

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Use an e-mail filter to automatically route possible spam into a special folder to deal with later

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Can opt out from marketing activities Some privacy groups want individuals to have to opt in

to activities instead Do Not Call Registry: Can reduce calls from

telemarketers Do Not E-Mail Registry: May be a possibility for the

future, but more difficult to implement Web servers holding sensitive data should be secured

Only enter personal information on Web sites using secure servers

Automatic encryption systems for e-mail can help sensitive data from accidentally being revealed

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Properly dispose of hardware and outdated data Wipe (not just delete) data on

hard drives before disposing of a computer or hard drive

Storage media containing sensitive data should be shredded

Businesses should have a media sanitation/data destruction policy

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Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring

Computer monitoring software: Used to record an individual’s computer usage either by capturing images of the screen or by recording the actual keystrokes used Can be used in homes by adults to monitor computer usage of

children or spouse Can be used in businesses to monitor employee computer

usage Keystroke-logging programs: Used to capture keystrokes

Can be used by hacker to capture usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information entered into a PC

Used by the government in criminal investigations

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Computer Monitoring Software

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Video surveillance: The use of video cameras to monitor activities of individuals Used to monitor employees Used in public locations for crime-prevention

purposes Stores and other businesses Public streets Subways, airports, etc.

Can be used with face recognition software Privacy issues also involved with the use of

camera phones

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Video Surveillance

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Employee monitoring: Observing or reviewing employees’ actions while they are on the job

Can monitor computer usage Can monitor physical location

Video cameras GPS capabilities built into cars or mobile phones Proximity cards

Can also be used to access facility, computer, etc.

Businesses should notify

employees

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Presence technology: Enables one computing device to locate and identify the current status of another device on the same network Instant messaging, mobile phones, etc. Can be used to locate coworkers or by customers May also be used

for marketing activities in the future

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Protecting Personal andWorkspace Privacy

Can use antispyware software to detect if someone is monitoring your computer usage

Employers have a responsibility to keep employee and customer information private and secured

Employees should be familiar with their company’s employee policy and avoid personal activities at work

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Computer Security andPrivacy Legislation

Difficult for legal system to keep pace with technology

Difficult to balance freedom of speech with privacy

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Computer Security andPrivacy Legislation

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Summary Why Be Concerned About Computer Security Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting Why Be Concerned About Information Privacy Databases, Electronic Profiling, Spam, and Other

Marketing Activities Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring Computer Security and Privacy Legislation

Documents

Chapter 8: Computer Security and Privacy. 2 Learning Objectives Explain why all computer users should be concerned about computer security. List some