COMPUTER PLATFORMS

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COMPUTER PLATFORMS
Computer Network Security User Support
Training Week 11
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Week 11

• Security
• Dangers
• Attacks
• Countermeasures
• Rights
• Users
• Problems
• Support
• Training

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Computer Security

• Danger! Danger!
• A variety of situations are dangerous to your
  computer or network
• Standalone systems
• Walk up access
• Networked computers
• Access to one system potentially allows access to
  entire network
• Propagation of viruses
• Remote access
• The Internet
• Essentially allowing ANYONE onto your computer or
  network
• Viruses in email, downloaded by accident
• Spam, pop-ups

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Computer Security

• Your data is important!
• For whatever reason
• Sensitive business data
• Personal information
• Financial information
• Credit Cards
• Address, telephone number
• Research data
• Information about other people
• etc.
• Plain invasion of privacy / theft
• You dont want someone else getting hold of it!
• You dont want someone corrupting your system or
  monitoring your activities

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Computer Security

• Attacks
• Someone (or something) doing stuff to your
  system(s)
• When they shouldnt be!
• 3 things to worry about
• Crackers / Intruders
• Technically hacker is the wrong term
• Attempt to break into your system
• Access your data / steal stuff / exploit your
  machine
• Viruses
• Malicious programs
• Very infectious
• Uses the computers resources in some way
• Worms
• Self-replicating
• Not normally malicious
• Just irritating
• Uses the computers resources in some way

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Security Countermeasures

• Physical
• Keep machines under lock and key
• Only give access to those who need it
• Remove disk drives, access to ports
• e.g- disable USB access
• Nail down the machine - literally
• Non-technical
• Good, long passwords
• jL04BMh as opposed to fred
• Dont let software save your passwords / details
• AutoComplete, Password Manager, etc.
• Use an OS / NOS that supports good security
• Especially when networking
• E.g.- Windows 2000 / Linux
• Keep OS up to date with patches/fixes
• Install anti-virus software
• Remember to log out

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Security Countermeasures

• Enforce log-on and passwords for all users

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Security Countermeasures

• Firewall
• Restricts access to networks
• Filters data packets
• Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
• Monitors network traffic for anything sinister
• Flags unusual behaviour
• Usually has the ability to block
• Ports
• Close all unused ports
• Do not allow un-needed services
• Authentication
• Make sure you know who users are
• Only allow authorised users access

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Security Countermeasures

• Encryption
• Locking information by using a password or key
• Hiding data
• Secure communications
• Information in transit can be encrypted
• Must be decrypted at the other end
• Security Policies
• Rules that everyone must adhere to
• Passwords
• User names
• Account / Group restrictions
• Backup / Disaster Recovery
• Doesnt prevent attack
• Makes recovering easier

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Security Rights

• Set access rights and permissions for files,
  folders and resources
• Users
• Have to administer each user
• Time intensive
• Groups
• Organise similar users into groups
• E.g.- Sales
• Administer group rather than user
• Basic rights
• Read, Write, Execute, List
• In Windows NT, 2000, XP, 2003
• Done using NTFS
• New Technology File System
• Also on MacOS, UNIX, Linux and Novell

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Security Rights

• Windows

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Security Rights

• Novell

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Computer Rights

• UNIX / Linux / MacOS

User / owner
Group
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To err is human (even more so to blame it on
the computer)

• It can only be attributable to human error?!
• People make mistakes
• Machines dont!
• More and more computer illiterates are using
  computers!
• Install bad software
• Accidentally change config settings
• Go to dodgy web sites
• Things break / blow up / melt
• We must be able to put right these problems

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Methods of support

• Support staff
• Required to solve problems
• Look after systems
• IT Manager
• Systems Administrator
• Technician
• Can be expensive to hire new staff
• Provides on-site support
• Training for existing staff
• Attempt to solve the problem before it occurs
• Stops staff breaking things
• Allow staff to be able to solve basic problems
• Investing in training brings greater return on
  technology implementation
• Saves money in the long-term
• Costs money initially

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Methods of support

• Support
• Some form is technical support will be required
• Insurance in case of technical failure
• Especially with specialist equipment
• Two main types
• On site (in house) support
• Involves employing one or more person(s)
• 3rd Party support
• Service Level Agreements
• Can take time to solve a problem
• Maintenance
• Checks of equipment working order
• Routine maintenance checks / tasks
• Upgrading equipment and software
• Keeping systems performance high
• Continually updating any live services
• Especially sales marketing

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Week 11

• Security
• Dangers
• Attacks
• Countermeasures
• Rights
• Users
• Problems
• Support
• Training