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Advanced
How To Guides
eSecurity
3.0 Ok, I am convinced I need to know about security.
Where do I start?
A good starting place is a basic understanding of
some of the commonly used terminology related to Internet
and information systems security:
3.1 Hacker
A hacker is someone who breaks into someone else's computer
system, often on a network; bypasses passwords or licenses
in computer programs; or in other ways intentionally
breaches computer security. A hacker can be doing this
for profit, maliciously, for some altruistic purpose
or cause, or because the challenge is there. Some breaking-and-entering
has been done ostensibly to point out weaknesses in
a site's security system.
3.2 Virus
A virus is a piece of programming code usually disguised
as something else that causes some unexpected and usually
undesirable event. A virus is usually designed so that
it is automatically spread to other computer users.
Viruses can be transmitted as attachments to an email,
as downloads, or be present on a diskette or CD. The
source of the email, downloaded file, or diskette you've
received is often unaware of the virus. Some viruses
wreak their effect as soon as their code is executed;
other viruses lie dormant until circumstances cause
their code to be executed by the computer. Some viruses
are playful in intent and effect (e.g. "Happy Birthday")
and some can be devastating, erasing data or causing
your hard disk to require reformatting.
Generally, there are three main classes of viruses:
3.2.1. File infectors. Some file infector viruses
attach themselves to program files, usually selected
.COM or .EXE files. When the program is loaded, the
virus is loaded as well. Other file infector viruses
arrive as wholly-contained programs or scripts sent
as an attachment to an email.
3.2.2. System or boot-record infectors. These
viruses infect executable code found in certain system
areas on a hard disk called the boot sector.. A typical
scenario is to receive a diskette from an innocent source
that contains a boot disk virus. When your operating
system is running, files on the diskette can be read
without triggering the boot disk virus. However, if
you leave the diskette in the drive, and then turn the
computer off or reload the operating system, the computer
will look first in your A drive, find the diskette with
its boot disk virus, load it, and make it temporarily
impossible to use your hard disk.
3.2.3. Macro viruses. These are among the most
common viruses, and they tend to do the least damage.
Macro viruses infect your Microsoft Word application
and typically insert unwanted words or phrases.
3.3 Worm
A worm is a self-replicating virus that does not
alter files but resides in active memory and duplicates
itself. Worms use parts of an operating system that
are automatic and usually invisible to the user. It
is common for worms to be noticed only when their uncontrolled
replication consumes system resources, slowing or halting
other tasks.
3.4 Backup
Backup is the activity of copying files or databases
so that they will be preserved in case of equipment
failure or other catastrophe. Backup should be a routine
part of the operation of computers in organisations
large and small. For personal computer users, backup
is also necessary but often neglected. The retrieval
of files that have been backed up is called restoring
them.
3.5 Spam
Spam is unsolicited email on the Internet . From the
sender's point-of-view, it's a form of bulk mail. To
the receiver, it usually seems like junk email. It's
roughly equivalent to unsolicited telephone marketing
calls except that the user pays for part of the message
since everyone shares the cost of maintaining the Internet
. Companies who send Spam typically send a piece of
email to a distribution list in the millions, expecting
that only a tiny number of readers will respond to their
offer.
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