computer hardware day3

8/4/2019 Computer Hardware Day3

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Computer Hardwarecommon threats to your PC

Sarbjeet Prasad

[email protected]


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Malware

Malware is generally described as a softwareprogram that is surreptitiously and discreetlyplaced on a users computer that performs

unexpected orunauthorized, but alwaysmalicious, actions. It is a common term usedto refer to viruses, Trojan horse programs,and worms.

surreptitious adj done in secret or without permission (surreptitiously adv.)

discreet adj careful to avoid embarrassment when dealing with secret or private matter

(discreetly adv.)


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Symptoms of infection

Todays malware actively seeks to remain undetected;

however, you may experience the following problems:

Overall system performance slows down.

Files are corrupted or deleted and you are no longer

able to open them.

Commonly used programs no longer work properly. Reduction in hard drive and memory space.

Inability to update antivirus software.


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Computer virus

A computervirus is a program that has the unique

ability to replicate, and like biological viruses, can

spread quickly. While some viruses do not carry a

damage routine, they may only display messages orimages, others may destroy files, reformat your hard

drive, or cause other damage. If the virus does not

contain a damage routine, it can cause trouble by

consuming storage space and memory, anddegrading the overall performance of your computer.


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Trojan horse

ATrojan horse program performs a maliciousaction but has no replication abilities. Like theTrojan horse, a Trojan horse program may

arrive as a seemingly harmless file orapplication, but actually has hidden maliciousintent within its code. When a Trojan horseprogram is executed, you may experienceunwanted system problems in operation, and

sometimes loss of valuable data.Trojan Horse n 1. (Greek myth) the huge wooden hollow figure of a horse used by the

Greeks to enter Troy 2. a trap or trick intended to undermine an enemy.


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Computer worm

A computerworm is a self-containedprogram (or set of programs) that can spreadcopies of itself to other computer systems via

network connections, email attachments,instant messages (via file-sharingapplications), and by collaborating with othermalware. Some worms may also prevent you

from accessing security Web sites, or stealthe licenses of installed games andapplications.


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Crimeware

Crimeware is an overall term that describes

software used forfinancial theft. Crimeware

can spread via almost any threat vector -including viruses/Trojan horses, programs

/worms, spyware/adware and others - and

comprises bots, botnets, and ransomware.


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Spyware

Spyware and adware are closely related

threats. Spyware is any piece of software,

installed or employed without yourknowledge, that watches, logs, and reports

on yourelectronic movements. Commercial

spyware sells the information it collects to

marketing entities; criminal spyware uses it tosteal your identityone of the most powerful

threats facing consumers today.


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Adware

Adware is software that generates electronic

advertisementssuch as pop-ups or Web

linkswithout your consent. In manyinstances, adware employs information

gathered via spyware to display highly

targeted messaging based on your personal

preferences and habits.


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Spam

Spam describes any unsolicited communicationsent either via email or instant message (IM)intended for commercial gain. The term spam

encompasses a broad array of activities, many ofwhichsuch as the distribution ofphishing emails.Recently, image spamspam that displays itsmessage in an image rather than in body texthasemerged in an effort to evade detection. Spammers

also randomize these images using different sizes,backgrounds, and borders to prevent being blockedby spam signatures.


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Phishing

Phishing is any attempt-via phone, email,

instant messaging (IM), or fax-to procure your

personally identifiable information with theintent of stealing your identity (and,

ultimately, your money). Most of these

attempts are in the guise of a legitimate

purpose; in other words, they appear to bevalid, yet are indeed a criminal enterprise.


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Botnets

Botnets are networks of bots, and have been

identified as a leading cause of phishing - a

serious form of spam.

A bot - short for robot


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Bots

Bots are the threats most commonly

associated with crimeware. A bot - short for

robotgenerally consists of what havebecome known as multi-stage malware

components. For example, a botnet may first

be seeded via a Trojan horse program that

takes advantage of any one of the number ofvulnerabilities (such as spam).


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Bots contd.

Once seeded, and the PC has been compromised,

any number of other malware code segments may

be downloaded to the victimized PC on a whim. An

increasing amount of botnet activity is being used byorganized crime for malicious purposes. Criminal

botmasters can control bots from a central location,

waking them on command to perform an extensive

range of malicious activities, including spamdistribution, phishing, denial of service (DoS)

attacks, and extortion


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Ransomware

Ransomware is software that, when executed,

encrypts word-processing, spreadsheet, and other

documents for the purposes of extortion. In other

words, documents are held ransom until victimspurchase a decryption keyeither by sending

payment via a third-party processor such as PayPal,

or through buying an item online (the receipt for

which includes the key). Ransomware is mostcommonly distributed via email or instant messenger

(IM).


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How to protect your PC

Purchase and install an Internet security

package that includes antivirus, anti-spam,

anti-phishing, and intrusion detection andprevention (IDS/IPS) software.

Note: Many software are FREE for personal

use i.e. when you are not using yourcomputer for commercial purpose.


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How to protect your PC contd.

Scan email and instant message (IM) file

attachments with security software.

Delete all unwanted and suspiciousmessages without opening.

When surfing the web, use security software

to protect yourself.


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How to protect your PC contd.

Click on web links sent only by known or

expected sources.

Keep all browser and IM security patches upto date.

Apply all operating system (OS) security

patches supplied by the OS vendor in a

timely manner.


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Firewall

A firewall is simply a program orhardware

device that filters the information coming

through the Internet connection into yourprivate network orcomputer system. If an

incoming packet of information is flagged by

the filters, it is not allowed through.


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Firewall


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Review

Malware

Crimeware

Security softwareFirewall

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