COMPUTER SECURITY THREATS

Introduction:

A computer faces many types of threats.There are three key words we use in discussing about computer security:vulnerabilities, threats, and countermeasures.A threat is possible danger to a system. It might be natural disaster.A point where computer is susceptible to attack is called vulnerability.Techniques for protecting your system are called countermeasures. We will discuss about four common threats possible to our computer.

Virus:

A virus is a piece of code that copies itself in another larger program & modifies that program. The other program is called the host. Virus is not an independent program, dependent on host program. It can replicates itself, and infects other programs as it reproduces. A Virus may infect memory, a flash drive, a tape, or any other type of storage.

Worm:

Worm damages by spreading itself from one site to another. It is not dependent upon the host file. It usually does not modify other programs. It has capability to replicate itself. Due to copying nature, it travels across the networks.

Adware:

A type of free software that automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer. These advertisements are in the form of pop-up windows or toolbars. Some adware also transmits secret information, e.g. passwords, email addresses, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.

Hacker:

Hacker is an individual who gains unauthorised access to computer for the purpose of stealing or corrupting data. They use vulnerability scanners to detect security holes in a computer, server, network, etc. They make a user account in the computer unnoticed. Hacker can be a great danger.