COMPUTER AND SECURITY

NETWORK SECURITY

In a nutshell, computer and network security (often called cybersecurity) is all

about protecting your computer systems and the information they hold. It's like
putting a strong lock on your door and keeping your valuables hidden – but for the
digital world.

Here's the basic idea:

 What we protect: Information (data, files, passwords), computer systems

(hardware and software), and network connections.
 Why we protect: To prevent unauthorized access, theft, damage, or
disruption. Imagine someone stealing your credit card info or messing with
your online accounts. Not good!
 How we protect: There are many tools and techniques, like strong
passwords, firewalls, and software updates. It's like having a combination
lock, an alarm system, and keeping your software up to date to patch any
vulnerabilities.

Impact of Computer in Network Security

Computers are a double-edged sword when it comes to network security. They

provide the foundation for security tools and protocols, but also introduce
vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Here's a breakdown of the impact of
computers on network security:

Positive Impacts:
  Security Tools and Technologies: Computers enable the development and
deployment of firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS),
and encryption software – all crucial for protecting networks.
 Centralized Management: Computers allow for centralized security
management, making it easier to deploy security policies and updates across
a network.
 Security Automation: Automated security tools running on computers can
continuously monitor for threats, analyze logs, and respond to incidents
faster than manual processes.
 Security Awareness Training: Computers are used to deliver interactive
security awareness training to users, helping them identify and avoid threats.

Negative Impacts:

 Increased Attack Surface: The more computers connected to a network,

the larger the attack surface for malicious actors to target. Each computer
represents a potential entry point for attackers.
 Software Vulnerabilities: Software flaws in operating systems and
applications can create vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to gain
access to systems.
 User Error: Human mistakes like clicking on phishing links or using weak
passwords can compromise network security even with strong technical
controls.
 Botnets and Malware: Computers can be infected with malware that turns
them into bots, controlled by attackers to launch large-scale attacks on
networks.

Overall:
While computers introduce vulnerabilities, their role in implementing security
measures is undeniable. The key lies in a balanced approach, utilizing the power
of computers for security tools and automation while mitigating the risks through
user education, software updates, and layered security solutions.

What is Network? Network can be defined as a large system consisting of many

similar parts that are connected together to allow movement or communication
between or along the parts or between the parts and a control centre

What is security? protection of a person or thing against foreign attacks.

With the aid of these definition Network Security can be defined “as the
protection of the underlying networking infrastructure from unauthorized
access, misuse, or theft.”

Introduction

The interconnected world we live in relies heavily on computer and network

security. As technology evolves, so do the threats we face.

Computer and network security are a necessity in today's world. It's not just about
protecting your data, it's also about protecting your identity. If you want to be able
to access the internet, you'll need a device that has been taught how to do so by
someone else.
You need to set up the operating system and use secure internet access before you
can expect a computer to work once you buy it.
Depending on the scale of the computer network, different ways to manage
network security have varied requirements. A home office, for instance, needs only
the most basic network security, whereas major organizations need intensive
maintenance to shield their networks from hostile attacks.

Understanding the Fundamentals:

 CIA triad: This principle emphasizes the three core objectives of security:
Confidentiality (ensuring data privacy), Integrity (maintaining data
accuracy), and Availability (guaranteeing access to data and systems).
 Threats and vulnerabilities: Identify the different types of threats like
malware, phishing attacks, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Explore how
vulnerabilities in software, hardware, and network configurations create
openings for these threats.
 Network Security Concepts: Learn about firewalls, intrusion
detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and virtual private networks
(VPNs) that form the backbone of network security.

What is Network Security?

All the measures used to safeguard a computer network's integrity and the data on
it are collectively referred to as network security. Network security is crucial
because it protects sensitive data from online threats and guarantees the network's
dependability. Multiple security measures are used in successful network security
plans to shield users and organizations from malware and online threats like
distributed denial of service.

Computers, servers, wireless networks, and other associated devices make up a

network. Many of these gadgets are open to possible intruders. Utilizing a range of
hardware and software tools on a network or as software as a service is necessary
for network security. As networks get increasingly complicated and businesses rely
more on their networks and data to operate, security becomes more crucial. As
threat actors develop new ways to target these more complex networks, security
techniques must change.

Security is typically described as everyone's duty since every user on the network
represents a potential vulnerability in that network, regardless of the exact method
or business security plan.

What is the difference between computer security and network security?

Network security is a part of cyber security, which is a more general phrase. All of
an organization's digital data is shielded from cyberattacks through cybersecurity.
Network security only protects the network and the data being sent across it, while
Computer security deals with protecting your physical computers, laptops, and
other devices.

 To protect your information, your network security system must include the
following components:

 Firewalls

 Anti-virus software

 Intrusion detection systems (IDS)

 Intrusion prevention systems (IPS)

 Virtual private networks (VPN)

Aspects of Network Security

Following are the desirable properties to achieve secure communication:

o Privacy: Privacy means both the sender and the receiver expects
confidentiality. The transmitted message should be sent only to the intended
receiver while the message should be opaque for other users. Only the
sender and receiver should be able to understand the transmitted message as
eavesdroppers can intercept the message. Therefore, there is a requirement
to encrypt the message so that the message cannot be intercepted. This
aspect of confidentiality is commonly used to achieve secure
communication.
o Message Integrity: Data integrity means that the data must arrive at the
receiver exactly as it was sent. There must be no changes in the data content
during transmission, either maliciously or accident, in a transit. As there are
more and more monetary exchanges over the internet, data integrity is more
crucial. The data integrity must be preserved for secure communication.
o End-point authentication: Authentication means that the receiver is sure of
the sender’s identity, i.e., no imposter has sent the message.
o Non-Repudiation: Non-Repudiation means that the receiver must be able to
prove that the received message has come from a specific sender. The sender
 must not deny sending a message that he or she send. The burden of proving
the identity comes on the receiver. For example, if a customer sends a
request to transfer the money from one account to another account, then the
bank must have a proof that the customer has requested for the transaction.

Advantages of Network Security

 Network security is essential for safeguarding client data and information,

maintaining the security of shared data, guaranteeing dependable network
performance, and defending against online attacks.
 An effective network security solution lowers overhead costs and protects
businesses from significant losses brought on by a data breach or other
security event.
 Ensuring appropriate access to systems, applications, and data facilitates
company operations and customer service.

Disadvantages

 Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive.

 Managing a large network is complicated, requires training and a network
manager usually needs to be employed.
 If the file server breaks down the files on the file server become
inaccessible. Email might still work if it is on a separate server. The
computers can still be used but are isolated.
 Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer network.
 There is a danger of hacking, particularly with wide area networks. Security
procedures are needed to prevent such abuse, eg a firewall.
CONCLUSION

The future of computer and network security lies in continuous innovation.

As technology advances, so too must our security measures. By embracing
emerging solutions like artificial intelligence and automation, we can strive
for a more proactive and resilient security posture.