Computer security involves protecting computers and networks from malware, hackers, and other threats, while maintaining privacy on the Internet and in physical systems and networks. Both physical and digital factors are considered, as either can compromise the integrity of the system. Key areas covered include physical access security, operating system security, data integrity and protection, and network access and intrusion. The goal of computer security is to minimize these risks as much as possible and use countermeasures to fix security problems as quickly as possible.
Antivirus and other security software can help reduce the chances of a computer becoming infected with a virus or other malware.
Physical access is one of the most critical factors in protecting networks and computer systems. Even if someone takes steps to encrypt data and block network access, they are useless if someone steals the physical system or gains direct access to it. Physical security involves protecting the building that contains the computer through special doors, identification processes, and security cameras. It also involves training employees not to give their passwords to strangers and to recognize social engineering techniques.
Computer hacking is considered a criminal activity.
The security of the operating system is another important factor of computer security. If an attacker gains control of a person’s computer, he can take control of the victim’s operating system, steal data, and destroy important information. Security flaws are found in most common operating systems, so vendors regularly release patches that users can install to better protect their systems. Viruses and spyware also pose a risk to many operating systems, so virus protection software is necessary to prevent data loss and unauthorized access. If a computer is in an area with many people around, users should also use complex passwords to prevent unauthorized users from making changes to or reading sensitive data on their computers.
Computer security includes the encryption of information on a computer’s hard drive.
Computer hard drives, optical media, and flash storage often contain personal information, so computer security emphasizes protecting these items with encryption that enhances data security by making it unreadable to unauthorized parties. Many operating systems have features that can encrypt individual files or entire hard drives. Special hardware is available that can encrypt data even when it is accessed from a different computer.
Protecting computer networks is critical to computer security. Hackers who find information on a company network can use tools to gain access to other computers and servers. A firewall helps block network access and can be configured for various levels of security. Wireless networks also have encryption features that can protect data and prevent unauthorized access to the network.
An information security specialist may be responsible for ensuring that employees manage their passwords properly.
