Computer Security and Privacy Chapter 15: Computer Security and Privacy

Learning Objectives Explain why all computer users should be concerned about computer security. List some risks associated with hardware loss, damage, and system failure, and understand ways to safeguard a PC against these risks. Define software piracy and digital counterfeiting and explain how they may be prevented. Explain what information privacy is and why computer users should be concerned about it.

Learning Objectives Describe some privacy concerns regarding databases, electronic profiling, spam, and telemarketing, and identify ways individuals can protect their privacy. Discuss several types of electronic surveillance and monitoring and list ways individuals can protect their privacy. Discuss the status of security and privacy legislation.

Overview This chapter covers: Why computer security is important Security concerns related to hardware loss and damage and precautions that can be taken A discussion of software piracy and digital counterfeiting and steps to reduce the occurrence of them Why information privacy is important Possible risks for personal privacy violations and precautions to safeguard one’s privacy Discussion of legislation related to computer security and privacy

Why Be Concerned About Computer Security? There are a number of security concerns related to computers that users should be aware of, including: Having a PC stolen Losing important data Losing contact lists Pirated or counterfeited products

Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Hardware loss: Can occur when a portable PC, USB flash drive, mobile device, or other piece of hardware is stolen or lost by the owner Hardware theft: One of the most obvious types of hardware loss Occurs when hardware is stolen from an individual or an organization Hardware can be stolen from homes, businesses, cars, airports, hotels, etc. Often for the value of the hardware, but increasingly for the information that might be contained on the hardware C level attacks are growing

Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Hardware damage: Can be accidental or intentional System failure: The complete malfunction of a computer system Can be due to a hardware problem, software problem, or computer virus Can be due to a natural disaster or planned attack

Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Use door and computer equipment locks Cable locks Security slots

Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Use encryption to protect data Increasingly used with USB flash drives, notebook PCs, hard drives, etc. Full disk encryption (FDE): Everything on storage medium is encrypted Self-encrypting hard drive: A hard drive using FDE

Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Computer tracking software: Used to find a PC after it is lost or stolen Sends out identifying data via the Internet Law enforcement can use this data to recover the PC Most often used with PCs but also available for other devices Kill switch: Software used to destroy sensitive data on a stolen or lost PC Other precautions: Alarm software, tamper evident labels, etc. Common sense

Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure

Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Proper hardware care: Needed to prevent damage Ruggedized PCs: Designed for more abuse than conventional hardware

Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Surge suppressor: Protects hardware from damage due to electrical fluctuations Uninterruptible power supply (UPS): Provides continuous power to a computer system for a period of time after the power goes off

Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Also: Watch dust, moisture, static, heat, etc. Avoid head crash Stop USB devices before removing Use screen protectors, jewel cases, etc.

Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Backup and disaster recovery plans: Both businesses and individuals should use appropriate backup procedures Continuous data protection (CDP): Enables data backups to be made on a continual basis Backup media needs to be secured Data storage companies store backup media at secure remote locations Online backup is another possibility Disaster-recovery plan: Spells out what an organization will do to prepare for and recover from a disruptive event Hot sites

Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting Software piracy: Unauthorized copying of a computer program Widespread, global problem Occurs when: Individuals make illegal copies of software to give to friends Businesses or individuals install software on more than the number of computers allowed according to the end-user license agreement (EULA) Sellers install unlicensed copies on PCs sold to consumers Large-scale operations in which programs and packaging are illegally duplicated and sold as supposedly legitimate products

Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting

Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting Digital counterfeiting: The use of computers to make illegal copies of currency, checks, collectibles, and other items Often scanned and printed or color-copied

Protection Against Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting Educating businesses and consumers Strengthening antipiracy laws Holograms: Printed text or images attached to a product that change their appearance when the product is tilted Mandatory product registration/activation Watching online auction sites/lawsuits

Protection Against Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting Protecting against digital counterfeiting New currency designs Microprinting, watermarks, security thread, etc. Special paper is used with U.S. currency Identifying technology included in digital imaging hardware Digital watermarks: Subtle alteration to a digital item that is not noticeable but that can be retrieved to identify the owner of the item Also can use: Holograms, RFID tags, and other hard-to-reproduce content

Protection Against Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting

Why Be Concerned About Information Privacy? Privacy: State of being concealed or free from unauthorized intrusion Information privacy: Rights of individuals and companies to control how information about them is collected and used Computers add additional privacy challenges Many data breaches recently due to lost or stolen hardware, carelessness with documents containing sensitive data, database breaches, etc. Businesses need to be concerned with the expense, damage to reputation, and possible lawsuits Web activity and e-mail privacy was discussed in Chapter 8; other privacy concerns are discussed next

Databases, Electronic Profiling, Spam, and Other Marketing Activities Marketing database: Collection of data about people, used for marketing purposes Data obtained through online and offline purchases, public information, etc. Beginning to be used in conjunction with Web activities Government database: Collection of data about people, collected and maintained by the government Tax information, Social Security earnings, personal health records, marriage and divorce information Some information is confidential, other is public

Databases, Electronic Profiling, Spam, and Other Marketing Activities

Databases, Electronic Profiling, Spam, and Other Marketing Activities Using electronic means to collect a variety of in-depth information about an individual

Databases, Electronic Profiling, Spam, and Other Marketing Activities Privacy policy: Discloses how information you provide will be used Included on many Web sites

Spam and Other Marketing Activities Spam: Unsolicited, bulk e-mail sent over the Internet Often involves health-related products, fraudulent business opportunities, pornography, etc. Ads from companies a person has done business with are also considered to be spam by many Appearing via instant messaging (spim) Also delivered via mobile phones and fax machines Spam legislation enacted some regulations regarding spam Other annoyances Pop-up ads Pop-under ads Telemarketing

Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information Safeguard your e-mail address Use a throw-away e-mail address (an extra e-mail address that you can use for activities that might result in spam) Get a second e-mail address from your ISP or from Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, or Gmail Can stop using it and get a new one when needed

Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information Be cautious of revealing personal information Read a Web site’s privacy policy Can use privacy software, such as the free Privacy Bird program Do not supply personal information to people in chat rooms

Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information Avoid putting too many personal details on your Web site Be wary of sites offering prizes in exchange for personal information Can use an anonymous Web browsing service, such as Anonymizer Supply only the required information in registration forms Delete your browsing history and e-mail settings when using a public computer

Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information

Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information Use an e-mail filter to automatically route possible spam into a special folder to deal with later

Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information Can opt out from marketing activities Some privacy groups want individuals to have to opt in to activities instead Do Not Call Registry: Can reduce calls from telemarketers Do Not E-Mail Registry: May be a possibility for the future, but more difficult to implement Web servers holding sensitive data should be secured Only enter personal information on Web sites using secure servers Automatic encryption systems for e-mail can help sensitive data from accidentally being revealed

Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information Properly dispose of hardware and outdated data Wipe (not just delete) data on hard drives before disposing of a computer or hard drive Storage media containing sensitive data should be shredded Businesses should have a media sanitation/data destruction policy

Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring Computer monitoring software: Used to record an individual’s computer usage either by capturing images of the screen or by recording the actual keystrokes used Can be used in homes by adults to monitor computer usage of children or spouse Can be used in businesses to monitor employee computer usage Keystroke-logging programs: Used to capture keystrokes Can be used by hacker to capture usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information entered into a PC Used by the government in criminal investigations

Computer Monitoring Software

Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring Video surveillance: The use of video cameras to monitor activities of individuals Used to monitor employees Used in public locations for crime-prevention purposes Stores and other businesses Public streets Subways, airports, etc. Can be used with face recognition software Privacy issues also involved with the use of camera phones

Video Surveillance

Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring Employee monitoring: Observing or reviewing employees’ actions while they are on the job Can monitor computer usage Can monitor physical location Video cameras GPS capabilities built into cars or mobile phones Proximity cards Can also be used to access facility, computer, etc. Businesses should notify employees

Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring Presence technology: Enables one computing device to locate and identify the current status of another device on the same network Instant messaging, mobile phones, etc. Can be used to locate coworkers or by customers May also be used for marketing activities in the future

Protecting Personal and Workspace Privacy Can use antispyware software to detect if someone is monitoring your computer usage Employers have a responsibility to keep employee and customer information private and secured Employees should be familiar with their company’s employee policy and avoid personal activities at work

Computer Security and Privacy Legislation Difficult for legal system to keep pace with technology Difficult to balance freedom of speech with privacy

Computer Security and Privacy Legislation

Summary Why Be Concerned About Computer Security Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting Why Be Concerned About Information Privacy Databases, Electronic Profiling, Spam, and Other Marketing Activities Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring Computer Security and Privacy Legislation