Computer Security
Meaning : Mechanism or technique applied for the
protection of computer hardware and software is known as computer security. The
enemies of computer are dust
particle, virus, extreme temperature, faulty wiring etc.
Hard ware security :
Techniques/ mechanisms for the protection of hardware equipments
of computer system is called hardware security. Some of the hardware measure
are as follows:
(i)
Regular maintenance : Daily cleaning
of room, dust particles from computer, checking electric power and cables keep
the compute system up to date.
(ii)
Power
protection : Computer needs 220 to 240 volt( AC) power supply
for its smooth operation. So to supply the power regularly power protection
devices can be used.
(a)
UPS : It is an electrical device which stores the electric power in
its backup battery and supplies to the computer in case of power cut off/
blackout. It is the most reliable device for continuous power supply to the
computer. Therefore, it protects from loss of data due to power cut off and
safeguard from short circuit. Besides UPS, volt guard, stabilizer, spike guard
are also the power protection devices.
(iii)
Air conditioning : Computers should be
operated in a appropriate temperature. Very high temperature may expand circuit
and cause slow down and cause hang the computer. Similarly, very low
temperature may cause deposition of water particle on the circuit. Therefore,
temperature between 180c to 240c should be maintained in
a computer room. AC and Inlet/Outlet fan can be used to maintain temperature.
(iv)
Dust free environment : Dust particles deposited on the circuit board, RAM , hard disk
etc. may cause blockade of current and data flow or crash the hard disk.
Therefore, dust free environment should be maintained inside computer room by
closing windows and door , by cleaning room regularly etc.
(v)
Access control : Unnecessary person
should not be allowed inside a computer room. The entry and exit point can be
controlled, by managing security guard, Door Lock, electronic card system etc.
(vi)
Insurance
policy : Incase of loss of computer property due to natural disaster,
theft, robbery, malfunctioning etc, the insurance company will compensate the
loss. Therefore, the organization should not suffer from economic crisis.
Software security :
Protection of program and data against virus, hacking,
corruption etc. is known as software security.
We can follow the following measures for software security .
a.
Password: It the collection of secret code or characters which prevents
unauthorized users accessing particular application or file. Password can be
applied in system or in a particular file. Tips to use password.
·
Use
password longer than 6 characters
·
Apply both
alphabets and digits.
·
Change the
password regularly
·
Do not
tell or give password to others.
b.
Back up : Back up is the process of storing copy of data and program in secondary
storage media( floppy disk, CD, pen drive, Hard disk). In case of loss of
original data and program , user can reuse/ reinstall from back up copy. In this
way, backup provides security of data and program.
c. Hard lock key : It is a kind of checking point in program running time. User needs to type a password,
when a software asks to type hard lock key. If it matches, the program
continues, otherwise it halts. Thus, it helps to check software piracy.
d. Antivirus program( virus scanning) : Infection of
computer virus cause losses of data and program . Therefore, antivirus program
should be installed in a computer to detect and scan the virus. In this way it
keeps the data and program safe.
e. Defragmentation: It is the process of accumulating scattered data into a particular
sector of a disk, so that disk accesses
faster. It increases the life of hard disk.
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