Digital+Security

Defining Digital Security
The precautions that all technology users must take to guarantee their personal safety and the security of their network

"The idea of protecting what we have should not be foreign to anyone. We put locks on our doors, mount smoke detectors in our homes, and install security systems designed to protect our families and possessions. As a repository of personal information, a personal computer should have as many (if not more) security features as the home that houses it. Why should anyone go to the trouble of installing these additional protections? Because technology intruders do not break in through the front door - they hack in through your Internet connection. Any computer that does not have virus protection (with up-to-date virus definitions) is vulnerable. Any computer connected 24/7 to the internet without firewall protection is defenseless against a snooper on the prowl. Having a wireless network without encryption is tantamount to offering free access to any and all comers.

Security faults occur not because of flaws in the equipment but because of the ways people use it. We give away our passwords without thinking of the consequences. We are not aware of the possible dangers of meeting people on the internet. Young people often view strangers on the internet as potential friends they have not yet met. Too often, they correlate their social status in the digital world with the number of online "friends" they have linked to their MySpace or Facebook page.

Protecting one's equipment is not just a personal responsibility. It also helps protect the community. By keeping virus software up-to-date, for example, viruses do not get passed along to infect others as easily. However, digital security goes beyond protecting equipment. It includes protecting ourselves and others from outside influences that might cause harm." (//Digital Citizenship in Schools,// ISTE, 2007)

Issues:

 * Protecting hardware and network security - This means making sure nobody messes up or steals the hardware and making sure the network doesn't get a virus.
 * Protecting personal security: identity theft, phishing, online stalking - Preventing identity theft, online bullying, and being careful with who one meets on the internet. This includes giving out sensitive information (credit card information for example) to untrustworthy sites.
 * Responsible use of laptop and network -
 * community security: terrorist threats

Examples of Inappropriate Use

 * Users fail to maintain current software updates or patches that protect their computers from viruses and exploitation.
 * Users fail to protect their identity when using email, chat, or instant messaging
 * Stalking
 * Bullying is never alright and this extends even to the web. A user should never intimidate or mistreat somebody through any sort of media on the web such as makinga social networking group that says, "We Hate Mithun"
 * Spoofing - Bluffing, making a temporary false identity or taking the name and look of a website
 * Hacking

Examples of Appropriate Use

 * A user should protect their computer and other computers on the same network and this can be done by making sure their virus protection and firewalls are properly updated and configured to protect personal information
 * It is difficult to know the true intentions of people when not face to face and users should discuss and be aware of the dangers of providing information to anyone over the internet especially when Social Networking.
 * A user should remember that when they publish things on to facebook anyone with rights can see it and therefore a user should make pictures on their Social Networking only viewable by their friends.

Digital Security Guidelines

 * Stored data security**
 * Put stuff in your safe
 * Lock your device(phone/computer)
 * Disable wireless access (including bluetooth and infrared)
 * Lock your computer/phone
 * Have a strong password
 * Do not save passwords


 * Hardware/Software security**
 * Virus Protection Updates
 * Every week, Microsoft comes out with necessary updates that must be installed to keep your PC safe.
 * Make sure the virus protection you use, has a feature to update itself automatically when an update is available.
 * These virus protections are a must to keep up with the upcoming malware/spyware and other virus.
 * OS Updates
 * Operating system like Microsoft/apple/Linux, come out with updates to their systems.
 * 1) Microsoft: Windows 200 to Windows XP to Windows Vista
 * 2) Apple: Mac to MacX/10
 * One should purchase original software of these operating systems and install them when needed/appropriate.
 * Make sure you keep away from pirated software, which might cause hardware/software failures.
 * P2P Software
 * Peer to peer software, is one of the famous software type to download pirated data, be in movies, music, games or other pirated software/
 * Lime wire, Ares, bare share, torrents, etc are some examples of P2P software that are used all over the world to download data
 * This is very dangerous for the user’s machine. This is because:
 * 1) Once installed, blocks the firewall and other protections that are a must, to protect your PC against dangerous viruses
 * 2) It also makes your computer available over a public database, where anyone can enter your system and steal data.
 * 3) High chance of viruses and other malware entering your computer, once you download files.
 * Say No To PIRACY!
 * Due to expensive original software, people turn to piracy
 * They do not see the danger behind buying pirated software
 * There can be viruses in the pirated version of the software, which once installed can be harmful to your PC
 * Music companies lose money through piracy.
 * Buy original software/music/movies and even games to save yourself from software malfunctions, hard drive crashes and corruption of important files.
 * Installation restrictions:
 * Many programs once installed, have files that might come in contact with system files in your computer
 * The software installed, sometimes can block important applications that might be of use to the user.
 * In shared networks like the one we use at ASB, we have to be very careful while installing software.
 * If the software we install contains a virus, other users in the shared network can get it too, eventually it will spread over an entire network, causing one data loss and other system failures.
 * WAN/WLAN Passwords: A Must!
 * When you set up a wireless network at home or at a business centre or even at a school, make sure you protect your wireless with passwords which makes it harder for outsiders to connect to it and spread virus/harm it.
 * Do not connect to random wireless networks/hubs.
 * Your laptop that has a wireless network card might detect wireless networks in range which might not be password protect it.
 * TRY not to connect to it as the network you connect to, might be harmful.
 * The network administrator can access your machine and even block applications on your computer.


 * Personal security**


 * One must take into consideration the ideas, words, and photographs posted on websites such as [|www.youtube.com] and [|www.facebook.com]
 * Make sure that the passwords used for emails as well as the log on password for the computer are ones that are not obvious
 * Change the passwords made often to insure complete safety
 * Before moving away from the computer for a long time, make sure you logout to keep personal information secure