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Questions and Answers
What should you do if an antivirus program flags an e-mail attachment as infected?
What should you do if an antivirus program flags an e-mail attachment as infected?
How does IP spoofing affect network security?
How does IP spoofing affect network security?
What is the primary function of a personal firewall utility?
What is the primary function of a personal firewall utility?
What is a key characteristic of a denial of service attack?
What is a key characteristic of a denial of service attack?
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What is the purpose of installing antivirus software on all your computers?
What is the purpose of installing antivirus software on all your computers?
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Which of the following describes a back door in software?
Which of the following describes a back door in software?
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What is a common consequence of not using a personal firewall?
What is a common consequence of not using a personal firewall?
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What is the function of a firewall?
What is the function of a firewall?
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What is the primary function of intrusion detection software?
What is the primary function of intrusion detection software?
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What is a biometric device used for?
What is a biometric device used for?
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What does access control specifically define?
What does access control specifically define?
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Which method can help enhance password security?
Which method can help enhance password security?
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What is a possessed object in the context of computer security?
What is a possessed object in the context of computer security?
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What describes hardware vandalism?
What describes hardware vandalism?
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What is software theft?
What is software theft?
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What does a single-user license agreement allow?
What does a single-user license agreement allow?
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What is a computer security risk?
What is a computer security risk?
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Which of the following describes a virus?
Which of the following describes a virus?
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What is the main method through which a virus spreads via email messages?
What is the main method through which a virus spreads via email messages?
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What is the primary effect of a Trojan horse on a computer system?
What is the primary effect of a Trojan horse on a computer system?
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How do worms differ from viruses?
How do worms differ from viruses?
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Which of the following is NOT a technique to safeguard against Internet and network attacks?
Which of the following is NOT a technique to safeguard against Internet and network attacks?
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Which concept refers to the right of individuals to keep their information private and secure?
Which concept refers to the right of individuals to keep their information private and secure?
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What is a potential health-related disorder connected to excessive computer use?
What is a potential health-related disorder connected to excessive computer use?
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What is the primary function of a surge protector?
What is the primary function of a surge protector?
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Which type of backup involves creating copies of all files in a computer?
Which type of backup involves creating copies of all files in a computer?
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What is the recommended method to ensure the security of a wireless access point?
What is the recommended method to ensure the security of a wireless access point?
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Which of the following best describes a backup?
Which of the following best describes a backup?
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What can cause prolonged malfunction of a computer?
What can cause prolonged malfunction of a computer?
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What do codes of conduct in IT primarily address?
What do codes of conduct in IT primarily address?
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What is the effect of an undervoltage condition?
What is the effect of an undervoltage condition?
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What rights are granted by intellectual property laws?
What rights are granted by intellectual property laws?
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What is the primary purpose of a cookie?
What is the primary purpose of a cookie?
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Which of the following best describes spyware?
Which of the following best describes spyware?
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What is the main function of anti-spam programs?
What is the main function of anti-spam programs?
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What is phishing primarily aimed at achieving?
What is phishing primarily aimed at achieving?
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When might users choose to disable cookies?
When might users choose to disable cookies?
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What does adware primarily do?
What does adware primarily do?
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How can users effectively manage spam emails?
How can users effectively manage spam emails?
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Which of the following describes content filtering?
Which of the following describes content filtering?
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What is the main focus of computer forensics?
What is the main focus of computer forensics?
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Which condition is commonly associated with excessive computer use?
Which condition is commonly associated with excessive computer use?
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What does the Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) provide?
What does the Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) provide?
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Which method helps prevent tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome?
Which method helps prevent tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome?
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What is an important aspect of ergonomics?
What is an important aspect of ergonomics?
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What is green computing primarily concerned with?
What is green computing primarily concerned with?
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What common health issue involving vision is related to prolonged computer screen use?
What common health issue involving vision is related to prolonged computer screen use?
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Which of the following is NOT a precaution to prevent computer-related injuries?
Which of the following is NOT a precaution to prevent computer-related injuries?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Computing - Module 8
- Module 8 covers Computer Security, Ethics, and Privacy.
Objectives
- Explain computer security risks and types of cybercrime perpetrators.
- Describe various internet and network attacks, and ways to safeguard against them.
- Discuss techniques for preventing unauthorized computer access and use.
- Discuss preventing health-related disorders and injuries from computer use.
- Discuss issues related to information accuracy, intellectual property rights, codes of conduct, and green computing.
Computer Security Risks
- Computer security risks are actions that cause loss or damage to the computer system.
Computer Viruses, Worms, and Trojan Horses
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Virus: A potentially damaging computer program that can spread and damage files.
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Worm: Copies itself repeatedly, using up resources, potentially shutting down a computer or network.
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Trojan Horse: Hides within or looks legitimate but triggers harmful events or actions after initial execution.
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Payload: Destructive event triggered when opening a file, running a program, or booting with an infected disk.
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Viruses can spread through e-mail messages:
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Unscrupulous programmers create a virus program, hiding it in a Word document, attaching the Word document to an e-mail.
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Some users that open the attachment become infected.
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Other users, who do not recognize the sender and open the e-mail message, are not infected.
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The virus is then sent to thousands of users.
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Preventing Macro Viruses:
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Set macro security level in applications.
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Macros are disabled by default, notifications will show when documents contain macros.
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Macros act as a small program that automates common tasks.
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Antivirus programs:
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Identify and remove computer viruses.
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Usually protect against worms and Trojan horses.
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Virus Signature:
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Specific pattern of virus code.
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Also called virus definition.
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Antivirus programs look for virus signatures.
How does an Antivirus Program Inoculate a Program File?
- Records program info (size, creation date).
- Detects if virus tampers with files.
- Keeps infected files in separate area of hard disk to prevent further damage.
- Attempts to remove detected viruses.
Tips for Preventing Virus, Worm, and Trojan Horse Infections
- Set macro security in programs, enabling or disabling macros as needed.
- Install antivirus programs on all computers.
- Never open e-mail attachments unless expecting from a trusted source.
- Check all downloaded programs for viruses, worms, and/or Trojan horses.
- Install a personal firewall.
- If an attachment is identified as infected, immediately delete it.
Denial of Service Attack and Back Door
- Denial of Service Attack: An assault disrupting computer access to internet services like the Web or e-mail.
- Back Door: A program or set of instructions in a program that bypasses security controls to access a computer resource.
Spoofing
- IP spoofing occurs when an intruder computer fools a network into believing its IP address is from a trusted source.
- Perpetrators trick their victims to interact with a fake website.
Firewall
- Security system (hardware and/or software) that prevents unauthorized intrusions.
Personal Firewall Utility
- A program that protects a personal computer's data from unauthorized intrusions.
- Monitors transmissions to and from the computer.
- Informs the user of attempted intrusions.
Unauthorized Access and Use
- Intrusion Detection Software: Analyzes network traffic, assesses system vulnerabilities, and identifies suspicious behavior.
- Access Control: Defines who can access a computer and what actions they can take.
- Audit Trail Records: Documents access attempts.
- Disabling File and Printer Sharing: Prevents unauthorized access to your computer through the internet.
- Usernames: Unique combinations of characters identifying a user.
- Passwords: Private combinations of characters associated with the username, enabling computer access to resources.
- Password protection: Longer passwords provide greater security, increasing the time it takes to discover them (provided appropriate character combinations are used).
- Possessed Objects: Items a user must carry to access a computer or facility (e.g., ATM card, ID card).
- Biometric devices: Authenticate person's identity using personal characteristics like fingerprints, hand geometry, voice, signature, and iris.
Hardware Theft and Vandalism
- Hardware Theft: Stealing computer equipment.
- Hardware Vandalism: Defacing or destroying computer equipment.
- Methods to protect from theft: Cables and locking mechanisms.
- Security Methods: Passwords, possessed objects, biometrics for various devices (PDAs/phones).
Software Theft
- Software Theft: Stealing or illegally copying software, or intentionally erasing programs.
- Software Piracy: Illegal duplication of copyrighted software.
- License Agreements: Grants right to use software on a specific computer, prohibiting copying and selling.
Safeguarding Software Theft
- Product Activation: Allowing users to input product identification numbers online or by phone to receive unique installation ID numbers.
- Business Software Alliance (BSA): Promote the awareness of software piracy problems resulting from unauthorized copying without licensing.
Information Theft
- Encryption: Converting readable data (plaintext) into unreadable characters (ciphertext) to protect from theft.
- Encryption methods often use multiple methods.
- Encryption key: Formula for decryption (deciphering).
- Encrypting Files/Folders in Windows: Locate the file/folder, right-click, select Properties, navigate to the General tab and click Advanced, select Encrypt content to secure data.
Internet Security Risks
- Encryption: Web browsers use encryption to transmit data securely. Websites beginning with "https" typically use encryption to help secure connections.
- Digital Certificates: Confirm website legitimacy, ensuring secure connections.
- Certificate Authority (CA): Authorized individuals/companies that issue and verify digital certificates.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
- Encrypts data transferred between client systems (e.g., web browser) and the internet server.
- "https" in web addresses indicates secure connections.
System Failure
- System Failure: Prolonged malfunction of a computer, caused by factors like aging hardware, natural disasters, and electrical problems (e.g., power surges or outages).
- Surge protector: Protects computer equipment from electrical disturbances.
- Uninterruptible power supply (UPS): A surge protector that continues providing power during electrical power loss.
Backing Up
- Backup: Duplicates of files (programs/discs) to restore files after system failure/corrupted files. Includes full and selective backups, as well as multiple copies for redundancy (e.g., three generation backups).
Wireless Security
- Secure your Wireless Access Point (WAP) and do not broadcast the network name.
- Enable WPA (Wired Equivalent Privacy/Wi-Fi Protected Access)
Health Concerns of Computer Use
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Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS): Eye and vision problems
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Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI): Strain on tendons/muscles due to repeated motions
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Inflammation of the nerve that connects the forearm to the palm, resulting from repeated motions
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Computer Addiction: When computer use dominates a person's entire social life.
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Preventing RSI/CTS: Spread fingers apart, keeping wrists straight, gently push back fingers/thumb, and dangle arms loosely, then shake arms.
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Easing Eyestrain: Taking frequent breaks (every 10-15 minutes) looking into the distance, blinking regularly, and positioning the display at eye level.
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Ergonomics: Applied science focusing on comfort, efficiency, and safety in the workplace (e.g., proper posture, adjusting chair, desk).
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Green Computing: Reducing electricity and environmental waste during computer use.
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Use ENERGY STAR compliant devices and peripherals
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Avoid turning the computer off/on multiple times during the day, and only shutting down when not in use.
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Use paperless methods for communications
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Recycle old computers, paper, toner cartridges.
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Telecommute or walk to cut down on car emissions
Additional Information (Ethics and Society)
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Computer Ethics: Moral guidelines for computer and information systems use (e.g., avoiding harm to other people and software theft). This includes consideration of unauthorized use of computer systems & networks, intellectual property rights, codes of conduct, accuracy of information, and information privacy.
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IT Code of Conduct: Written guidelines for employee computer use.
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Information Privacy: The right of individuals/companies to control personal information, including ways to protect it, such as the use of electronic profiles, cookies, controls against spam and phishing, content filtering systems, and computer forensics.
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