Introduction
We’ll dive into the world of computer and network security. Get ready to explore critical aspects of protecting your digital world from threats and vulnerabilities. This module is packed with engaging content, hands-on labs, and vital readings to ensure you grasp the essentials of cybersecurity.
1. Computer Security Best Practices
In today’s digital age, safeguarding your business from cyber threats is more critical than ever. Here’s how to keep your systems secure:
- Encrypt all data: Protect both stored and transient data.
- Digital certificates: Sign all sites with digital certificates.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Implement DLP and auditing protocols.
- Removable media policy: Restrict the use of external writable storage media.
- Malware protection: Secure websites against malware.
- Spam filters: Use them on all email servers.
- Endpoint security: Deploy comprehensive or multilayered security products.
- Network security: Use firewalls, antivirus, intrusion detection devices, or honey pots.
- Regular updates: Keep antivirus programs up-to-date.
- User education: Train users to recognize security risks.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Describe computer and network security vulnerabilities and threats.
- Discuss tools and techniques for providing computer and network security.
- List computer and network security mitigation measures.
- Explain authentication and encryption as security measures.
- Discuss various types of malicious software and their eradication.
1. Computer Security Best Practices
In today’s digital age, safeguarding your business from cyber threats is more critical than ever. Here’s how to keep your systems secure:
- Encrypt all data: Protect both stored and transient data.
- Digital certificates: Sign all sites with digital certificates.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Implement DLP and auditing protocols.
- Removable media policy: Restrict the use of external writable storage media.
- Malware protection: Secure websites against malware.
- Spam filters: Use them on all email servers.
- Endpoint security: Deploy comprehensive or multilayered security products.
- Network security: Use firewalls, antivirus, intrusion detection devices, or honey pots.
- Regular updates: Keep antivirus programs up-to-date.
- User education: Train users to recognize security risks.
2. Physical Security
Protecting your IT assets starts with physical security:
- Building security: Control access to where computers are located.
- Hardware locks: Secure servers and devices in locked cabinets or rooms.
- Lock workstations: Set BIOS passwords for booting or modifying BIOS settings.
- Computer tracking: Use services to locate stolen devices and take necessary actions.
- Mobile devices: Enforce security policies to prevent personal devices from connecting to the network.
- Removable storage: Store backup media securely and use disk encryption.
3. BIOS Security
Enhance your security by configuring BIOS settings:
- BIOS passwords: Set passwords to protect BIOS settings.
- Hard disk passwords: Lock hard disks with passwords.
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM): Use TPM for hardware system identification and encryption.
4. Authentication and Encryption
Authentication verifies your identity, while encryption keeps your data safe:
- Password: A secret value known only to the user.
- Smart card: A physical card with embedded authentication credentials.
- Biometrics: Unique human traits like fingerprints or retina scans.
Encryption transforms data to make it unreadable without the correct key. Methods include file encryption, disk encryption, and data transmission encryption. Learn more about VPNs and their role in secure communication.
5. Malware Protection
Malware, or malicious software, poses significant threats. Common types include viruses, worms, Trojan horses, rootkits, spyware, adware, and spam.
