ASSIGMENT 17: INTRODUCTION COMPUTER THREATS

INTRODUCTION COMPUTER THREATS

The computer is a great tool to store important information. In certain

cases, the information is very vital that losing it will harm the computer

system.

Computer threats can come from many ways either from human or natural

disasters. For example, when someone is stealing your account information

from a trusted bank, this threat is considered as a human threat. However,

when your computer is soaked in heavy rain, then that is a natural disaster

threat.

MALICIOUS CODE

Malicious code is also known as a rogue program. It is

a threat to computing assets by causing undesired

effects in the programmer’s part. The effect is caused

by an agent, with the intention to cause damage.

The agent for malicious code is the writer of the code,

or any person who causes its distribution. There are

various kinds of malicious code. They include virus, Trojan horse, logic door,

trapdoor and backdoor, worm and many others.

a) VIRUS

· a program that can pass on the malicious

code to other programs by modifying them

· attaches itself to the program, usually files

with .doc, .xls and .exe extensions

· destroys or co-exists with the program

· can overtake the entire computing system and spread to other

systems

b) TROJAN HORSE

· a program which can perform useful and

unexpected action

· must be installed by users or intruders

before it can affect the system’s assets

· an example of a Trojan horse is the login script that requests for

users’ login ID and password

· the information is then used for malicious purposes

c) LOGIC BOMB

· logic bomb is a malicious code that goes off when a specific

condition occurs.

· an example of a logic bomb is the time bomb

· it goes off and causes threats at a specified time or date

e) TRAPDOOR OR BACKDOOR

· a feature in a program that allows

someone to access the program with

special privileges

f) WORM

· a program that copies and spreads itself

through a network

Primary Differences Between Worms And viruses

HACKER

Hacking is a source of threat to security in computer.

It is defined as unauthorised access to the computer

system by a hacker.

Hackers are persons who learn about the computer system in detail. They

write program referred to as hacks. Hackers may use a modem or cable to

hack the targeted computers.

NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS

Computers are also threatened by natural or environmental disaster. Be it at

home, stores, offices and also automobiles.Examples of natural and

environmental disasters:

§ Flood

§ Fire

§ Earthquakes, storms and tornados

§ Excessive Heat

§ Inadequate Power Supply

Worm Virus

Operates through the network Spreads through any medium

Spreads copies of itself as a

standalone program

Spreads copies of itself as a

program that attaches to other

programs

THEFT

Two types of computer theft:

1) Computer is used to steal money, goods,

information and resources.

2) Stealing of computer, especially notebook and

PDAs.

Three approaches to prevent theft:

1) prevent access by using locks, smart-card or

password

2) prevent portability by restricting the hardware

from being moved

3) detect and guard all exits and record any

hardware transported