Computer Security Overview

Study Notes

Computer Security Recap

Computer security measures are designed to protect computer systems and networks from threats and unauthorized access.
Computer reliability refers to a computer system's ability to perform its functions without failing consistently.
Threats are dangers that can exploit vulnerabilities, like malware, phishing, and insider threats.
Vulnerabilities are weaknesses in a system that can be exploited by threats, such as software bugs or unpatched systems.

Introduction

The text will focus on privacy, intellectual property, protection against computer malfunction, and protection against crime.

Privacy Protection

Encryption encrypts data to keep it private and inaccessible to unauthorized users. It also protects data from being altered. Encryption is a standard practice.
- Strengths of Encryption:
  - Confidentiality: data remains private and inaccessible.
  - Integrity: data is protected from unauthorized changes.
  - Widely adopted: standard practice in securing communications (e.g., SSL/TLS).
- Weaknesses of Encryption:
  - Key management: managing and distributing keys securely can be complex.
  - Performance Overhead: encryption/decryption can slow down performance.
  - Not a Panacea: encryption doesn't protect against metadata analysis.
Anonymization helps protect individuals' identities by removing or obfuscating personal identifiers.
- Strengths of Anonymization:
  - Data privacy: helps protect individual identities.
  - Regulatory Compliance: can meet data protection regulations like GDPR.
- Weaknesses of Anonymization:
  - Data Utility: can reduce data usefulness if not implemented carefully.
  - Re-identification Risk: advanced techniques can re-identify anonymized data.
Access Controls limit data access based on roles and permissions.
- Strengths of Access Controls:
  - Controlled Access: ensures only authorized users can access data.
  - Granular Control: allows for specific, fine-grained access rules.
- Weaknesses of Access Controls:
  - Complexity: implementing and managing detailed access controls can be complex.
  - User Management: requires up-to-date management of user credentials and permissions.

Intellectual Property Protection

Copyright provides exclusive rights to creators for their work.
- Strengths of Copyright:
  - Legal Protection: provides creators with exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and perform their works.
  - Enforcement: can be enforced through legal action.
- Weaknesses of Copyright:
  - Cost: legal action can be expensive and time-consuming.
  - Global Variability: enforcement is inconsistent across jurisdictions.
Patents grant inventors exclusive rights to their inventions for a specific period.
- Strengths of Patents:
  - Exclusive Rights: grant inventors exclusive rights to their inventions for a specific period.
  - Encourages Innovation: provides incentives for technological advancements.
- Weaknesses of Patents:
  - High Cost: obtaining and defending patents can be costly.
  - Limited Duration: protection is limited to a finite period (typically 20 years).
Trade Secrets protect secret information for as long as it remains confidential.
- Strengths of Trade Secrets:
  - Indefinite Protection: can provide protection for as long as information remains secret.
  - Cost-Effective: less expensive than patents and copyrights.
- Weaknesses of Trade Secrets:
  - Risk of Exposure: if the secret is disclosed or independently discovered, protection is lost.
  - Enforcement Challenges: proving misappropriation can be difficult.

Protection Against Computer Malfunction

Regular Software Updates fix vulnerabilities and bugs, reducing the risk of exploits and enhancing functionality.
- Strengths of Software Updates:
  - Security Patches: fixes vulnerabilities and bugs.
  - Improved Functionality: enhances performance and adds features.
- Weaknesses of Software Updates:
  - Update Management: keeping software up-to-date requires regular monitoring and management.
  - Compatibility Issues: updates can sometimes introduce new issues or compatibility problems.
Redundancy and Backup ensures data can be restored in case of hardware failure or data loss.
- Strengths of Redundancy and Backup:
  - Data Recovery: ensures data can be restored if needed.
  - Reliability: enhances system reliability by having backup components.
- Weaknesses of Redundancy and Backup:
  - Cost: implementing redundancy and maintaining backups can be expensive.