COMPUTER PLATFORMS

1. Computer & Network Security & User Support & Training Week 11 COMPUTER PLATFORMS Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

2. Week 11 • Security • Dangers • Attacks • Countermeasures • Rights • Users • Problems • Support • Training Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

3. Computer Security • Danger! Danger! • A variety of situations are dangerous to your computer or network • Standalone systems • ‘Walk up’ access • Networked computers • Access to one system potentially allows access to entire network • Propagation of viruses • Remote access • The Internet • Essentially allowing ANYONE onto your computer or network • Viruses in email, downloaded by accident • Spam, pop-ups Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

4. Computer Security • Your data is important! • For whatever reason • Sensitive business data • Personal information • Financial information • Credit Cards • Address, telephone number • Research data • Information about other people • etc. • Plain invasion of privacy / theft • You don’t want someone else getting hold of it! • You don’t want someone corrupting your system or monitoring your activities Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

5. Computer Security • Attacks • Someone (or something) doing stuff to your system(s) • When they shouldn’t be! • 3 things to worry about • Crackers / Intruders • Technically “hacker” is the wrong term • Attempt to break into your system • Access your data / steal stuff / exploit your machine • Viruses • Malicious programs • Very infectious • Uses the computers resources in some way • Worms • Self-replicating • Not normally malicious • Just irritating • Uses the computers resources in some way Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

6. Security Countermeasures • Physical • Keep machines under lock and key • Only give access to those who need it • Remove disk drives, access to ports • e.g- disable USB access • Nail down the machine - literally • Non-technical • Good, long passwords • ‘jL04BM£h&~’ as opposed to ‘fred’ • Don’t let software save your passwords / details • ‘AutoComplete’, ‘Password Manager’, etc. • Use an OS / NOS that supports good security • Especially when networking • E.g.- Windows 2000 / Linux • Keep OS up to date with patches/fixes • Install anti-virus software • Remember to log out Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

7. Security Countermeasures • Enforce log-on and passwords for all users Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

8. Security Countermeasures • Firewall • Restricts access to networks • Filters data packets • Intrusion Detection System (IDS) • Monitors network traffic for anything sinister • Flags unusual behaviour • Usually has the ability to block • Ports • Close all unused ports • Do not allow un-needed services • Authentication • Make sure you know who users are • Only allow authorised users access Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

9. Security Countermeasures • Encryption • Locking information by using a password or key • Hiding data • Secure communications • Information in transit can be encrypted • Must be decrypted at the other end • Security Policies • Rules that everyone must adhere to • Passwords • User names • Account / Group restrictions • Backup / Disaster Recovery • Doesn’t prevent attack • Makes recovering easier Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

10. Security Rights • Set access rights and permissions for files, folders and resources • Users • Have to administer each user • Time intensive • Groups • Organise similar users into groups • E.g.- ‘Sales’ • Administer group rather than user • Basic rights: • Read, Write, Execute, List • In Windows NT, 2000, XP, 2003 • Done using NTFS • ‘New Technology’ File System • Also on MacOS, UNIX, Linux and Novell Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

11. Security Rights • Windows Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

12. Security Rights • Novell Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

13. - rw- r-- r-- user adm 120 Jan 21 mdt.tex d rw- r-- rwx root root 1024 Feb 6 local World Group Owner Computer Rights • UNIX / Linux / MacOS User / owner Group Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

14. To err is human… (even more so to blame it on the computer) • It can only be attributable to human error?! • People make mistakes • Machines don’t! • More and more computer illiterates are using computers! • Install bad software • Accidentally change config settings • Go to dodgy web sites • Things break / blow up / melt • We must be able to put right these problems… Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

15. Methods of support • Support staff • Required to solve problems • Look after systems • IT Manager • Systems Administrator • Technician • Can be expensive to hire new staff • Provides ‘on-site’ support • Training for existing staff • Attempt to solve the problem before it occurs • Stops staff breaking things • Allow staff to be able to solve basic problems • Investing in training brings greater return on technology implementation • Saves money in the long-term • Costs money initially Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

16. Methods of support • Support • Some form is technical support will be required • ‘Insurance’ in case of technical failure • Especially with specialist equipment • Two main types: • On site (in house) support • Involves employing one or more person(s) • 3rd Party support • Service Level Agreements • Can take time to solve a problem • Maintenance • Checks of equipment working order • Routine maintenance checks / tasks • Upgrading equipment and software • Keeping systems performance high • Continually updating any ‘live’ services • Especially sales & marketing Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

17. Week 11 • Security • Dangers • Attacks • Countermeasures • Rights • Users • Problems • Support • Training Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003