Technology in Action, Chapter 9

Technology in Action, Chapter 9

• Chapter 9 is titled "Securing Your System: Protecting Your Digital Data and Devices"
• Copyright © 2021 Pearson Education Ltd.

Identity Theft and Hackers

• Cybercrime is any criminal action primarily using a computer.
• Cybercriminals use computers, networks, and the internet to commit crimes.
• Common complaints include FBI-related scams, identity theft, non-delivery of merchandise, and advance fee fraud.
• Other serious complaints include computer intrusions, hacking, child pornography, and blackmail.

Identity Theft

• Identity theft occurs when a thief steals information and poses as you.
• This type of cybercrime is highly damaging financially.
• Common scams include counterfeiting credit/debit cards, changing addresses, opening new accounts, obtaining medical services, or buying and reselling houses in your name.

Hacking (1 of 4)

• A hacker is someone who unlawfully accesses a computer system.
• Types of hackers include white-hat (ethical), black-hat, and grey-hat hackers.
• Packet analyzers (sniffers) capture data packets.
• Keyloggers record keystrokes.

Hacking (2 of 4)

• Trojan horses appear useful but run malicious code.
• Backdoor programs and rootkits enable hackers to access and control computers.

Hacking (3 of 4)

• Zombies are computers controlled by hackers.
• Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks deny legitimate users access to systems.
• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are launched from multiple zombies.
• Botnets are large groups of zombie computers.

Hacking (4 of 4)

• Exploit kits are programs that search for vulnerabilities on computer servers.
• Logical ports are virtual communication pathways, not physical locations.

Computer Viruses (Basics)

• Viruses are programs that attach to other programs to spread.
• Their main purpose is replication.
• Secondary objectives may include being destructive (e.g., displaying messages, damaging files).
• Smartphones and tablets can also get infected.

Types of Viruses (1 of 2)

• Viruses come in various types: boot-sector viruses, logic bombs/time bombs, worms, script/macro viruses, email viruses, and encryption viruses.
• Boot-sector viruses affect the master boot record of a hard drive.
• Logic bombs and time bombs execute based on conditions or time.
• Worms spread independently.
• Script/macro viruses are command sequences.
• Email viruses spread through email attachments.
• Encryption viruses encrypt files and demand payment for decryption.

Types of Viruses (2 of 2)

• Viruses are classified by their methods of avoiding detection.
• Polymorphic viruses change their code to avoid detection, often targeting specific file types.
• Multi-partite viruses infect multiple file types.
• Stealth viruses hide their code and reside in active memory.

Online Annoyances and Social Engineering (1 of 3)

• Malware is software with malicious intent.
• Adware displays sponsored ads.
• Spyware secretly collects information.
• Keystroke loggers record keystrokes.

Online Annoyances (2 of 3)

• Spam is unwanted email.
• Tactics include spam filters.

Online Annoyances (3 of 3)

• Cookies are small text files saved on a computer when visiting a website.
• They help companies evaluate advertising effectiveness and may invade privacy but do not directly search for personal information.

Social Engineering (1 of 3)

• Social engineering is using human interaction (social skills) to get someone to reveal sensitive information.
• Pretexting creates a scenario that sounds legitimate to gain trust.

Social Engineering (2 of 3)

• Phishing tricks people into revealing information by imitating trustworthy sources.
• Pharming plants malicious code for data gathering.
• Avoiding traps is crucial: never respond directly to suspicious emails; don't click on links; verify requests; use secure sites; use phishing filters.

Social Engineering (3 of 3)

• Scareware tricks users into believing their computer is infected, then directs them to fake removal tools.

Restricting Access to Your Digital Assets (Firewalls 1 of 3)

• Firewalls can be software or hardware that protect computers from hackers.
• Operating systems often include firewalls.

Restricting Access to Your Digital Assets (Firewalls 2 of 3)

• Security suites often include firewall software.

Restricting Access to Your Digital Assets (Firewalls 3 of 3)

• Packet filtering blocks packets destined for specific logical ports.
• Logical port blocking completely rejects requests for access to those ports.
• Network Address Translation (NAT) assigns internal IP addresses on a network.

Restricting Access to Your Digital Assets (Preventing Virus Infections 1 of 3)

• Antivirus software detects and protects computers from viruses.
• Popular programs include Symantec, Trend Micro, and Avast.

Restricting Access to Your Digital Assets (Preventing Virus Infections 2 of 3)

• Virus signatures are unique portions of virus code.
• Quarantining puts viruses in a secure area.
• Inoculation records computer file attributes and keeps statistics.

Restricting Access to Your Digital Assets (Preventing Virus Infections 3 of 3)

• Drive-by downloads are attacks exploiting system vulnerabilities.
• Keeping your operating system updated helps avoid these threats.

Restricting Access to Your Digital Assets (Authentication: Passwords and Biometrics 1 of 2)

• Strong passwords are crucial.
• Minimum: eight characters with upper/lowercase, numeric, and symbols.

Restricting Access to Your Digital Assets (Authentication: Passwords and Biometrics 2 of 2)

• Biometric authentication devices (fingerprint, iris patterns, voice, face recognition), provide high security, convert unique characteristics to digital codes.

Explore Chapter 9 of 'Technology in Action', which focuses on securing your system and protecting digital data and devices. Understand the concepts of identity theft and the various forms of cybercrime that threaten our security. Learn about the role of hackers and the impact of cybercrimes on individuals and organizations.