SECURITY MEASURES

DEFINITION:

The precautionary measures taken toward possible danger or damage.

TYPES OF SECURITY MEASURES:

1. DATA BACKUP

2. CRYPTOGRAPHY

Technology of encoding information so it can only be read by authorized individuals

3.ANTIVIRUS

•Anti-virus software is a program or set of programs that are designed to prevent, search for, detect and remove software viruses and other malicious software like worms, Trojan horses, adware and more.

•If and when a virus is detected, the computer displays a warning asking what action should be done, often giving the options to remove, ignore, or move the file to the vault.

•If a virus infected a computer without an antivirus program, it may delete files, prevent access to files, send spam, spy on you, or perform other malicious actions.

•Examples: Norton anti-virus, AVG anti-virus, Kaspersky anti-virus

•There are several different companies that build and offer anti-virus software and what each offers can vary but all perform some basic functions:

 -Scan specific files or directories for any malware or known malicious pattern

-Allow you to schedule scans to automatically run for you

-Allow you to initiate a scan of a specific file or of your computer, or of a CD or flash drive at any time.

-Remove any malicious code detected –sometimes you will be notified of an infection and asked if you want to clean the file, other programs will automatically do this behind the scenes.

4.ANTI-SPYWARE

•Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on a computer without the user's knowledge in order to collect information about them

•Once installed, spyware can degrades system performance by taking up processing power, installing additional software, or redirecting users' browser activity.

•It also can monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else.

•Spyware can also gather information about email addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.

•Anti-spyware is a type of software that is designed to detect and remove unwanted spyware programs.

•Anti-spyware software can be used to find and remove spyware that has already been installed on the user's computer.

OR it can act much like an anti-virus program by providing real-time protection and preventing spyware from being downloaded in the first place.

•Examples :Spyware Blaster,Spy Sweeper

5.FIREWALL

-A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. 

-A firewall can be implement either through hardware or software form, or a combination of both. 

-Firewalls prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. 

-All messages entering or leaving the intranet (i.e., the local network to which you are connected) must pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified rules/security criteria.

-Rules will decide who can connect to the internet, what kind of connections can be made, which or what kind of files can be transmitted in out.

6.PHYSICAL ACCESS CONTROL

•Lock your laptop whether you're at home, in a dorm, in an office, or sitting in a coffee shop, use a security device, such as a laptop security cable.

•Lock doors and windows, usually adequate to protect the equipment.

•Put the access code at the door to enter the computer room or your office.

•Put the CCTV (closed-circuit television) in your office or computer room.

•Make a policies who can access the computer room or your data center.

7.HUMAN ASPECTS:AWARENESS

•Ethics - Be a good cyber citizen

-Do not engage in inappropriate conduct, such as cyber bullying, cyber stalking or rude and offensive behavior.

-Do not use someone else's password or other identifying information.

•Lock it when you leave

-It takes only a few seconds to secure your computer and help protect it from unauthorized access. Lock down your computer every time you leave your desk.

-Set up a screen-saver that will lock your computer after a pre-set amount of time and require a password to log back in.

•Protect data on mobile devices

-Choose a strong password. A good password should always include upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and at least one special character. Never use the same password for multiple devices or accounts.

-Store your portable devices securely. When not in use, store devices out of sight and when possible in a locked drawer or cabinet.

•Expose employees or staff to computer security.

•Make a routine check to update from new virus, worm or other malicious threat.