Page 259 - DCAP104_EXPOSURE_TO_COMPUTER_DISCPLINES

Exposure to Computer Disciplines

Notes
14.7 Backing up Data
14.8 Safeguarding Your Computer Hardware
14.8.1 Physical Access and Data Security
14.9 Summary
14.10 Keywords
14.11 Self-Assessment Questions
14.12 Review Questions
14.13 Further Reading

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Understand keeping your system safe.

• Explain protect yourself.
• Understand protect your privacy.
• Explain managing cookies.

• Discuss spyware and other bugs.
• Explain keeping your secure.

• Discuss backing up data.
• Explain safegauarding your computer hardware.

Introduction

Your home computer is a popular target for intruders. Why? Because intruders want what you’ve
stored there. They look for credit card numbers, bank account information, and anything else they
can find. By stealing that information, intruders can use your money to buy themselves goods
and services. But it’s not just money-related information they are after. Intruders also want your
computer’s resources, meaning your hard disk space, your fast processor, and your Internet
connection. They use these resources to attack other computers on the Internet. In fact, the more
computers an intruder uses, the harder it is for law enforcement to figure out where the attack is
really coming from. If intruders can’t be found, they can’t be stopped, and they can’t be prosecuted.
Why are intruders paying attention to home computers? Home computers are typically not very
secure and are easy to break into. When combined with high-speed Internet connections that are
always turned on, intruders can quickly find and then attack home computers. While intruders
also attack home computers connected to the Internet through dial-in connections, high-speed
connections (cable modems and DSL modems) are a favorite target.
No matter how a home computer is connected to the Internet, intruders’ attacks are often successful.
Many home computer owners don’t realize that they need to pay attention to computer security.
In the same way that you are responsible for having insurance when you drive a car, you need to
also be responsible for your home computer’s security. This document explains how some parts
of the Internet work and then describes tasks you can do to improve the security of your home
computer system. The goal is to keep intruders and their programs off your computer.

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