Introduction to Computer Security
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Questions and Answers

What is meant by confidentiality in the context of information security?

  • Guaranteeing that information is not available during a security breach.
  • Preserving authorized restrictions on information access and disclosure. (correct)
  • Modifying information to enhance its reliability.
  • Ensuring that information is accessible to anyone who requests it.

    • Which of the following describes integrity in information security?

  • The assurance that information remains accessible at all times.
  • The ability for users to access data without any restrictions.
  • Preventing unauthorized modifications or destruction of information. (correct)
  • The process of ensuring information is available even after attacks.

    • What does availability mean within the CIA triad?

  • Making information accessible only to authorized users.
  • Restricting information access to enhance security.
  • Ensuring timely and reliable access to information. (correct)
  • Ensuring backup copies of information exist.

    • Which of the following is an example of a security mechanism?

    <p>Implementing firewalls to prevent unauthorized access.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does non-repudiation ensure in information security?

    <p>That the authenticity of actions cannot be denied by parties involved.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is primarily concerned with user verification?

    <p>Authentication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of a security attack?

    <p>To bypass security measures and violate policies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a security service in the context of information security?

    <p>Encryption of sensitive data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which prevention strategy could have minimized the impact of the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack?

    <p>Enhancing supply chain security measures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant security flaw in the T-Mobile data breach?

    <p>Weak security measures on user data storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Log4j vulnerability illustrate risks associated with open-source software?

    <p>Potential for widespread exploitation due to its popularity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which measure could have effectively mitigated the risks associated with the T-Mobile data breach?

    <p>Data encryption and two-factor authentication</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor contributes significantly to the potential for attacks on critical infrastructure?

    <p>Use of outdated technology systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a vulnerability in the context of security?

    <p>A weakness in a system that might be exploited.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines a threat in a security context?

    <p>A potential danger that might exploit a vulnerability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does an attack on the availability of information typically result in?

    <p>Loss, unavailability, or unusability of an asset.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which action qualifies as an attack on confidentiality?

    <p>Wiretapping to gain unauthorized access to information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of attack involves unauthorized tampering with the asset?

    <p>Modification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following actions is an example of an attack on integrity?

    <p>Changing values in a database.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Fabrication in a security context refers to which of the following?

    <p>Unauthorized insertion of counterfeit objects into the system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of security threat is characterized by unauthorized access to the information source by an unauthorized party?

    <p>Interception</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between passive and active attacks?

    <p>Passive attacks do not alter system resources, while active attacks do.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of passive attack involves the unauthorized extraction of data contents?

    <p>Release of message contents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a masquerade attack?

    <p>An entity pretending to be a different entity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the goal of active attacks?

    <p>To detect attacks and recover from disruptions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a denial of service attack?

    <p>Overloading a network to prevent legitimate access.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which attack are legitimate messages altered to produce an unauthorized effect?

    <p>Modification of messages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does traffic analysis in passive attacks seek to accomplish?

    <p>To determine the pattern of communication without altering data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the strategy behind the SolarWinds hack in 2020?

    <p>Compromising a software update to infiltrate systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes a deliberate attempt to exploit security vulnerabilities?

    <p>Attack</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How would you define vulnerability in the context of a security policy?

    <p>A vulnerability is a weakness in a system that can be exploited to cause harm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of security threat involves unauthorized access to information during transmission?

    <p>Interception</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In security terms, what happens during an interruption threat?

    <p>An asset becomes lost, unavailable, or unusable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What attack involves an unauthorized party tampering with data?

    <p>Modification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which security threat occurs when counterfeit objects are inserted into a system?

    <p>Fabrication</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What constitutes a threat in the context of information security?

    <p>A threat is a potential danger that might exploit a vulnerability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are two examples of attacks focused on confidentiality?

    <p>Wiretapping and unauthorized copying of files.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two primary types of passive attacks in information security?

    <p>The two primary types of passive attacks are the release of message contents and traffic analysis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of an active attack?

    <p>The main goal of an active attack is to alter system resources or affect their operation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a masquerade attack from other types of active attacks?

    <p>A masquerade attack involves one entity pretending to be another entity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is a replay attack characterized?

    <p>A replay attack is characterized by the passive capture of a data unit followed by its unauthorized retransmission.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does a denial of service attack have on communication facilities?

    <p>A denial of service attack prevents or inhibits the normal use of communication facilities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the challenges associated with preventing active attacks?

    <p>Preventing active attacks is difficult due to the wide variety of potential vulnerabilities present in physical, software, and network systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define traffic analysis in the context of passive attacks.

    <p>Traffic analysis involves monitoring and analyzing transmission patterns to infer information without accessing the actual data content.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant risk was highlighted by the SolarWinds hack incident?

    <p>The SolarWinds hack incident highlighted the risks associated with third-party software vulnerabilities allowing attackers to infiltrate various systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the significance of the CIA triad in information security.

    <p>The CIA triad, consisting of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability, is significant as it provides a framework for protecting information security by ensuring that data is accessible only to authorized users, remains unaltered, and is available when needed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe how encryption supports the principle of confidentiality.

    <p>Encryption supports confidentiality by transforming readable data into an unreadable format, ensuring that only authorized users with the correct decryption key can access the original information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are security mechanisms, and why are they important in cybersecurity?

    <p>Security mechanisms are tools or protocols designed to prevent, detect, or recover from security attacks, and they are important as they help protect information systems from a variety of threats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does authentication play in information security?

    <p>Authentication verifies the identity of users and ensures that only authorized individuals can access specific system resources or sensitive information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do security services contribute to information assurance?

    <p>Security services such as identification, authorization, and secrecy contribute to information assurance by establishing trust and ensuring that only legitimate users can interact with the data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define non-repudiation in the context of information security.

    <p>Non-repudiation ensures that a party cannot deny the authenticity of their actions or communications, helping to maintain accountability in transactions and interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between security attacks and security mechanisms?

    <p>Security attacks are efforts to violate the security policies of a system, whereas security mechanisms are the tools and protocols designed to prevent or respond to such attacks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Discuss the importance of availability in information security.

    <p>Availability ensures that authorized users have timely and reliable access to information, which is essential for the continuous operation of systems and services.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What vulnerabilities were exploited in the supply chains during cyber attacks, and how could better access controls have helped?

    <p>Weak authentication processes and lack of monitoring allowed unauthorized access. Better access controls could have limited access to sensitive systems and improved monitoring could have detected anomalies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Discuss the impact of attacks on critical infrastructure, specifically regarding public safety and the economy.

    <p>Attacks on critical infrastructure can lead to severe public safety risks and significant economic losses due to service disruptions. Such incidents can also erode trust in essential services.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify the key security flaws that contributed to the T-Mobile data breach and how encryption could have mitigated these risks.

    <p>Inadequate security measures and weak data protection practices were primary flaws. Data encryption could have rendered stolen information unreadable, thus protecting customer data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Log4j vulnerability underscore the risks posed by open-source software, and what can organizations do to mitigate such vulnerabilities?

    <p>The Log4j vulnerability highlighted that widely-used open-source software can contain critical flaws that are exploited by attackers. Organizations should implement regular updates and robust patch management to address such vulnerabilities swiftly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the best strategies to prevent ransomware attacks in critical environments?

    <p>Implementing regular data backups, employee training, and robust security protocols can effectively reduce the risk of ransomware attacks. Additionally, maintaining updated security software helps in identifying and thwarting threats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the significance of protecting confidentiality in information security.

    <p>Protecting confidentiality ensures that sensitive information is only accessible to authorized users, preventing unauthorized disclosures that could lead to identity theft or data breaches.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by integrity in the context of information security, and why is it important?

    <p>Integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency of information, ensuring it has not been altered without authorization. It is crucial for maintaining trust in data and preventing unauthorized modifications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the availability aspect of the CIA Triad affect an organization's operations?

    <p>Availability ensures that information and resources are accessible when needed, which is vital for operational efficiency and business continuity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In cybersecurity, what role does authorization play post-authentication?

    <p>Authorization determines what an authenticated user can do within a system, defining access permissions to sensitive data and system functions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe how non-repudiation contributes to information security.

    <p>Non-repudiation ensures that a party cannot deny the authenticity of their actions or communications, thus providing accountability in transactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What consequences can arise from a loss of availability in a cybersecurity context?

    <p>A loss of availability can disrupt access to critical systems, leading to operational failures and potential financial losses for organizations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do security mechanisms help mitigate security attacks?

    <p>Security mechanisms prevent, detect, or recover from security attacks, thus maintaining system integrity and protecting sensitive data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it crucial to have a balance between confidentiality, integrity, and availability in information security?

    <p>Maintaining a balance among the three ensures comprehensive protection against threats, as neglecting any area could expose systems to vulnerabilities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the term 'interception' in the context of security threats.

    <p>Interception refers to an unauthorized party gaining access to information during transmission, which is an attack on confidentiality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'interruption' as a security threat?

    <p>Interruption occurs when an asset becomes lost, unavailable, or unusable, resulting in an attack on availability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Differentiate between 'modification' and 'fabrication' in security attacks.

    <p>Modification involves unauthorized tampering with existing data, while fabrication entails inserting counterfeit objects into the system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe how a threat differs from a vulnerability.

    <p>A threat is a potential danger that may exploit a vulnerability, which is a weakness in the system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify two examples of attacks focused on integrity.

    <p>Changing values in a database and altering the content of a message are both integrity-focused attacks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of security threat involves the unauthorized copying of files?

    <p>This type of threat is known as interception, which targets the confidentiality of information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does an active attack differ from a passive attack?

    <p>An active attack involves a deliberate attempt to alter or disrupt the system, while a passive attack aims to secretly monitor or gather information without causing disruption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way does the concept of 'fabrication' pose a risk in information security?

    <p>Fabrication poses a risk as it involves unauthorized parties inserting counterfeit data, which can lead to misinformation and loss of trust.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What vulnerabilities were exploited during the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, and how could better access controls have prevented this incident?

    <p>The vulnerabilities included inadequate network segmentation and poor security hygiene. Implementing strict access controls and continuous system monitoring could have significantly reduced the impact of the attack.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the T-Mobile data breach, what key security flaws allowed hackers access to personal information of millions, and how could data encryption have helped?

    <p>The key security flaws included lack of robust security protocols and outdated systems. Data encryption would have protected personal information even if unauthorized access occurred.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Log4j vulnerability showcase the risks of using widely adopted open-source software, and what measures could organizations take to mitigate such vulnerabilities?

    <p>The Log4j vulnerability showcased that commonly used software can have significant unpatched flaws that can be exploited. Organizations could implement a rapid patch management process and vulnerability assessments to mitigate these risks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What potential impacts do attacks on critical infrastructure have on public safety and the economy, particularly in the context of the Colonial Pipeline incident?

    <p>Such attacks can lead to fuel shortages, disruptions in services, and heightened public panic. This can damage the economy by causing supply chain interruptions and increasing operational costs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What prevention strategies could organizations implement to protect against ransomware attacks like that on Colonial Pipeline?

    <p>Organizations should employ regular data backups, employee training on phishing attacks, and advanced threat detection systems. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication can further strengthen defenses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the fundamental difference in the effects of passive and active attacks?

    <p>Passive attacks do not affect system resources, while active attacks involve modifications to data streams or system operations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    List two examples of passive attacks and briefly explain them.

    <p>Two examples are 'release of message contents,' which involves unauthorized access to the actual data in messages, and 'traffic analysis,' where an attacker monitors communication patterns to gain information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe what occurs in a replay attack.

    <p>In a replay attack, a legitimate data unit is passively captured and then retransmitted to create an unauthorized effect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the intent behind a denial of service attack?

    <p>The intent is to prevent or inhibit normal use of communication facilities, rendering them unavailable to legitimate users.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the concept of masquerade attacks and their significance.

    <p>Masquerade attacks involve one entity pretending to be another, which can lead to unauthorized access or actions by abusing trust.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do active attacks differ in terms of prevention compared to passive attacks?

    <p>Active attacks are more challenging to prevent due to a wider range of potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the overarching goal of active attacks in cybersecurity?

    <p>The overarching goal of active attacks is to detect the attack and recover from any disruptions or alterations caused.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary tactic used in the SolarWinds hack of 2020?

    <p>The primary tactic involved compromising a software update to gain unauthorized access to multiple government agencies and corporations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to Computer Security

    • "The only secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards - and even then, I have my doubts." - Gene Spafford, Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University.
    • Security measures and controls ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information system assets.

    The CIA Triad

    • Confidentiality: Preserving restrictions on information access and disclosure, protecting personal privacy and proprietary information.
      • Example: Encryption in online banking.
    • Integrity: Guarding against improper information modification or destruction.
      • Example: Digital signatures used in file verification.
    • Availability: Ensuring timely and reliable access to and use of information.
      • Example: Load balancing and backups.

    Expanding Beyond the CIA Triad

    • Authentication: Verifying the identity of a user.
      • Example: Biometrics, two-factor authentication.
    • Non-repudiation: Ensuring a party cannot deny their actions.
      • Example: Digital signatures in contracts.
    • Authorization: Defining the actions an authenticated user is allowed to perform.
      • Example: Access control policies.

    Security Attacks, Mechanisms and Services

    • Security attacks: Assaults on system security, attempting to violate security policies.
    • Security Mechanisms: Designed to prevent, detect, or recover from attacks.
    • Security Services: Specific security functions needed, such as identification, authorization, and secrecy.

    Vulnerability, Threat, and Attack

    • Vulnerability: A weakness in a system that might be exploited to cause harm.
    • Threat: A potential danger that might exploit a vulnerability.
      • Threats can be accidental (natural disasters, human error) or malicious (attackers, fraud).
    • Attack: A deliberate attempt to evade security services and violate the security policy.
      • Attacks exploit vulnerabilities.

    Security Threats

    • Interruption: Asset becomes lost, unavailable, or unusable.
      • Attacks the Availability principle.
      • Examples: Destruction of hardware, cutting communication lines, disabling file management systems.
    • Interception: Unauthorized party gains access to information.
      • Attacks the Confidentiality principle.
      • Examples: Wiretapping, unauthorized copying of files.
    • Modification: Unauthorized party tampers with an asset.
      • Attacks the Integrity principle.
      • Examples: Changing database values, altering programs, modifying message content.
    • Fabrication: Unauthorized party inserts counterfeit objects into the system.
      • Attacks the Authenticity principle.
      • Examples: Insertion of offending messages, adding records to a file.

    Security Attacks Classification

    • Passive Attacks: Attempt to learn or use information from the system without affecting system resources.
      • Release of Message Contents: Unauthorized interception of information.
      • Traffic Analysis: Analyzing communication patterns to gain information.
    • Active Attacks: Attempt to alter system resources or affect their operation.
      • Masquerade: One entity pretends to be another.
      • Replay: Capturing data units and retransmitting them.
      • Modification of Messages: Altering messages to produce an unauthorized effect.
      • Denial of Service: Preventing or inhibiting the normal use of communication facilities.

    Security in Daily Life

    • SolarWinds Hack (2020): A software update was compromised, allowing attackers to infiltrate government agencies and private corporations.
    • Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack (2021): Ransomware shut down a major fuel pipeline, causing widespread disruption.
    • T-Mobile Data Breach (2021): Hackers gained access to customer information due to weak security measures.
    • Log4j Vulnerability (2021): A critical vulnerability in a popular logging library allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.

    Introduction to Computer Security

    • Gene Spafford's quote highlights the difficulty of achieving true security in computer systems.

    Computer Security

    • Defined as measures and controls ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information system assets.

    The CIA Triad

    • Confidentiality: Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access and disclosure.
    • Integrity: Ensuring information remains accurate and unaltered, preventing unauthorized modifications or destruction.
    • Availability: Guaranteeing timely and reliable access to information and systems.

    Expanding Beyond the CIA Triad

    • Authentication: Verifying a user's identity.
    • Non-repudiation: Ensuring a party cannot deny their actions.
    • Authorization: Defining what an authenticated user can do within a system.
    • Security Attacks: Assaults on system security aiming to bypass security objectives.
    • Security Mechanisms: Tools designed to prevent, detect, or recover from attacks.
    • Security Services: Specific security functions needed, such as identification, authorization, and secrecy.

    Vulnerability, Threat, and Attack:

    • Vulnerability: A weakness in a system that can be exploited.
    • Threat: A potential danger that might exploit a vulnerability. Threats can be accidental or malicious.
    • Attack: A deliberate attempt to bypass security services and violate a system's security policy.

    Security Threats

    • Interruption: An asset becomes lost, unavailable, or unusable, affecting availability.
    • Interception: An unauthorized party gains access to information, affecting confidentiality.
    • Modification: An unauthorized party alters an asset, affecting integrity.
    • Fabrication: An unauthorized party inserts counterfeit information into the system, affecting authenticity.

    Security Attacks Classification

    • Passive Attacks: Attempting to learn or use information from a system without affecting system resources.

    • Active Attacks: Attempting to alter system resources or affect their operation.

    • Types of Passive Attacks:*

    • Release of message content: Unauthorized access to information.

    • Traffic analysis: Observing communication patterns to deduce information.

    • Types of Active Attacks:*

    • Masquerade: One entity pretends to be another.

    • Replay: Capturing a data unit and retransmitting it to produce an unauthorized effect.

    • Modification of messages: Altering messages to produce an unauthorized effect.

    • Denial of service: Preventing or inhibiting normal use or management of communication facilities.

    Security in Daily Life

    • SolarWinds Hack (2020): Compromised software update allowed attackers to infiltrate government agencies and private corporations.
    • Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack (2021): Ransomware attack shut down a major fuel pipeline, impacting public safety and economy.
    • T-Mobile Data Breach (2021): Hackers gained access to personal information due to weak security measures.
    • Log4j Vulnerability (2021): Critical vulnerability allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.

    Introduction to Computer Security

    • Information security is critical for protecting crucial information, and it is essential to have reliable systems to safeguard data.

    • Gene Spafford, a professor of computer science, expresses the challenges of securing systems by stating: "The only secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards - and even then, I have my doubts."

    Computer Security and the CIA Triad

    • Computer security encompasses measures and controls designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information system assets. These assets include software, hardware, firmware, and information being processed, stored, and communicated.

    • The CIA Triad outlines three key principles:

      Confidentiality

      • Confidentiality protects authorized restrictions on information access and disclosure, safeguarding personal privacy and proprietary information.

      • A loss of confidentiality occurs when unauthorized disclosure of information takes place.

      • Examples include: protecting sensitive information (e.g. encryption in online banking).

      Integrity

      • Integrity protects information from improper modification or destruction, ensuring information non-repudiation and authenticity.

      • A loss of integrity results from unauthorized modification or destruction of information.

      • Examples include: ensuring the data hasn't been altered (e.g., digital signatures in file verification).

      Availability

      • Availability ensures timely and reliable access to, and use of, information.

      • A loss of availability is the disruption of access to, or use of, information or an information system.

      • Examples include: ensuring system functionality and accessibility (e.g., load balancing and backups).

    Expanding Beyond the CIA Triad

    • Additional security concepts:

      • Authentication: Verifying the identity of a user. Examples: biometrics, two-factor authentication.

      • Non-repudiation: Ensuring a party cannot deny the authenticity of their actions. Examples: digital signatures in contracts.

      • Authorization: Defining what an authenticated user is allowed to do. Examples: access control policies.

    Security Attacks, Mechanisms and Services

    • Security attacks: An assault on system security to evade security objectives and violate the system's security policy.

    • Security mechanisms: Implemented to prevent, detect, or recover from attacks.

    • Security services: Security functions that provide identification, authorization, secrecy, etc. The goal is to implement security objectives outlined by a security policy.

    Vulnerability, Threat, and Attack

    • Vulnerability: A weakness in a system that might be exploited to cause harm.

    • Threat: A potential danger that might exploit a vulnerability. Threats can be accidental (natural disasters, human error) or malicious (attackers, insider fraud).

    • Attack: A deliberate attempt to evade security services and violate the security policy. Attacks exploit vulnerabilities.

    Security Threats

    • Security threats can target information flow, interrupting, intercepting, modifying, or fabricating it.

    • An interruption attack aims to disrupt availability by making assets lost, unavailable, or unusable. Examples include: destruction of hardware, cutting communication lines, disabling file management systems.

    • Interception attacks violate confidentiality by allowing unauthorized parties to gain access to information. Examples include: wiretapping, unauthorized copying of files.

    • Modification attacks compromise integrity by allowing unauthorized parties to tamper with system assets. Examples include: changing database values, altering programs, modifying message content.

    • Fabrication attacks affect authenticity by allowing unauthorized parties to introduce counterfeit objects into the system. Examples include: insertion of malicious messages, adding records to a file.

    Security Attacks Classification

    • Security attacks are classified as passive and active attacks.

    • Passive attacks aim to learn or make use of information from a system without affecting the system's resources.

    • Active attacks attempt to alter system resources or affect their operation. Security services work to detect and recover from any disruption or delays caused by active attacks.

    Passive Attacks

    • Two types of passive attacks:

      • Release of message contents: An attacker intercepts a message to gain access to confidential information.

      • Traffic Analysis: The attacker analyzes communication patterns, such as frequency, volume, and length of messages, to gain information about the system, even without understanding the messages' content.

    Active Attacks

    • Active attacks involve modifications to the data stream or creation of false streams.

    • Masquerade: An attacker impersonates a different entity, often involving other active attack tactics.

    • Replay: An attacker intercepts a data unit and retransmits it to produce an unauthorized effect, potentially harming system security.

    • Modification of messages: An attacker alters or delays legitimate messages to produce unauthorized effects, impacting information integrity.

    • Denial of service: An attacker prevents or inhibits the normal use or management of communication facilities, potentially disrupting availability.

    Examples of Recent Cybersecurity Incidents

    • SolarWinds Hack (2020): A software update for the SolarWinds Orion platform was compromised, enabling attackers to infiltrate government agencies and private corporations.

    • Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack (2021): A ransomware attack led to the shutdown of a major fuel pipeline in the US, causing widespread economic and public safety disruptions.

    • T-Mobile Data Breach (2021): Hackers gained access to personal information of over 40 million customers due to weaknesses in security measures.

    • Log4j Vulnerability (2021): A critical vulnerability in the popular Log4j logging library allowed attackers to execute code on affected systems.

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    Lecture 01 - f24.pptx

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of computer security, including the principles of the CIA Triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. Explore essential security measures and controls that safeguard information systems. This quiz will cover authentication methods as well.

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