Computer Security Threats

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Questions and Answers

What is the term used to describe an individual or organization responsible for sending spam?

Spyware

Spammer (correct)

Phisher

Hacker

What is the primary function of a Firewall?

To control the traffic between networks and prevent unauthorized access (correct)

To intercept internal user requests and process them on behalf of the user

To block all incoming and outgoing internet traffic

To tunnel traffic between two sides of a network

What type of threat can overload ISPs, email servers, and individual end-user systems?

Spam (correct)

Spyware

Viruses

Trojan Horses

What is the term used to describe a program that gathers personal information from a computer without permission?

Spyware Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a Proxy Server?

To intercept internal user requests and process them on behalf of the user Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a system that watches network traffic and detects intrusions?

NIDS Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a secure network connection between two endpoints?

VPN Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of firewall that prevents or allows access based on IP or MAC addresses?

Static Packet Filtering Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a NIPS?

To stop traffic in case of an intrusion Signup and view all the answers

What type of firewall is described as a 'deep-packet inspection firewall'?

Next-generation Firewall (NGFW) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of digital signatures?

To ensure non-repudiation and integrity Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a certification authority in digital certificates?

To verify the authenticity of digital certificates Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of converting plaintext into ciphertext?

Encryption Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a digital certificate?

To authenticate the identity of a website Signup and view all the answers

What type of encryption algorithm uses the same key for both encryption and decryption?

Symmetric encryption Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using a NGFW over a traditional firewall?

Improved security Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Network Threats

Spam: a serious network threat that can overload ISPs, email servers, and individual end-user systems
Spammer: a person or organization responsible for sending spam
Spam can take control of home computers using hacking techniques like viruses, worms, and Trojan horses
Spyware: any program that gathers personal information from a computer without permission or knowledge
Tracking Cookies: a form of spyware used to record information about an Internet user

Firewall

A Firewall: a security tool that protects internal network users from external threats
Resides between two or more networks, controlling traffic and preventing unauthorized access
Types of Firewalls:
Static Packet Filtering (stateless firewall): allows or blocks access based on IP or MAC addresses
Dynamic Packet Filtering (stateful firewall): only allows incoming packets that are legitimate responses to requests from internal hosts

Proxy Server

A computer system or application that intercepts internal user requests and processes them on behalf of the user
Goal: to hide the IP address of client systems inside the secure network

VPN

Tunnels traffic between two sides of a network
Types:
Remote Access VPN
Site to Site VPN

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems

NIDS (Network-based Intrusion Detection System): watches network traffic, detects intrusions, and sends alarms and logs
NIPS (Network-based Intrusion Prevention System): stops traffic when an intrusion is detected
Types of detection methods:
Signature-based: looks for a perfect match
Anomaly-based: builds a baseline of what is normal
Behavior-based: observes and reports

Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

A deep-packet inspection firewall that moves beyond port/protocol inspection and blocking
Adds application-level inspection, intrusion prevention, and brings intelligence from outside the firewall

Encryption

Process of encoding information to convert plaintext into ciphertext
Requires a key for encryption and decryption
Symmetric encryption: uses the same key for encryption and decryption (not secure)
Asymmetric encryption: uses a pair of keys (public and private)

Digital Signatures

Created by hashing a document and encrypting the hash with a private key
Verifiable by the owner of the private key and any entity with the public key
Provides non-repudiation and integrity, but not confidentiality

Digital Certificates

Electronic file containing identification information, including a public key, and a digital signature from a certification authority
Allows verification of authenticity and enables HTTPS

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Description

This quiz covers common computer security threats, including spam and spyware. Learn about the impact of spam on networks and how spammers operate, as well as the dangers of spyware and how it collects personal information.