Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms COMPUTER PLATFORMS Computer & Network Security & User Support & Training Week 11

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Week 11 Security –Dangers –Attacks –Countermeasures Rights Users –Problems –Support –Training

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Computer Security 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 , downloaded by accident Spam, pop-ups

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms 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 don’t want someone else getting hold of it! –You don’t want someone corrupting your system or monitoring your activities

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Computer Security Attacks –Someone (or something) doing stuff to your system(s) When they shouldn’t 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

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms 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 ‘jL04BM£h&~’ as opposed to ‘fred’ –Don’t 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

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Security Countermeasures Enforce log-on and passwords for all users

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms 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

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms 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 –Doesn’t prevent attack –Makes recovering easier

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms 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

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Security Rights Windows

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Security Rights Novell

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Computer Rights UNIX / Linux / MacOS - rw- r-- r-- user adm 120 Jan 21 mdt.tex d rw- r-- rwx root root 1024 Feb 6 localWorld Group Owner User / owner Group

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms 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 don’t! –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…

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms 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

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms 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

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Week 11 Security –Dangers –Attacks –Countermeasures –Rights Users –Problems –Support –Training