1. 1.2 Security

2. Computer security is a branch of technology known as information security, it is applied to computers and networks. It is used to protect information and property from theft, corruption or natural disaster, while at the same time allowing the information and property to remain accessible for its intended users.

3. There are three ‘categories’ of computer insecurity, these include: 1. Vulnerability A weakness which allows an attacker to reduce a systems computer assurance. Examples are: -Social engineering: manipulating people into divulging confidential information -Eavesdropping: involves making independent connections with the victims, sending messages between them. Making them think they are in a private connection when in reality the whole conversation is controlled by the attacker.

4. 2. Exploits Is a sequence of commands that takes advantage of a bug, glitch or vulnerability in order to cause unintended behavior on a computer software Examples include: -Trojans: malware* that facilitates unauthorized access -Viruses and worms: Computer program that copies itself and infects a computer -Denial of service: Attempt to make a computer resource unavailable to its intended users *= software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner knowing

5. 3. Payload Effect caused by a virus or malicious code, for example moving and deleting files. Other examples: -Backdoor: method of securing remote access to a computer -Root kit: software that hides the hackers presence from administrators -Key logging: action of tracking the keys struck on a keyboard, typically done in way that the user is unaware he’s being monitored.

6. Ways of protecting computers/networks Username/passwords Firewalls Antivirus Encryption