Network & Computer Security

    The internet is packets sent from the home source to the target destination, as we have discussed earlier. Such packet travel via cables, wireless, or fiber optics. The packets that we send from the home source include the data needed to arrive at the target destination and translate it there. Such information may include the address, data type, and content. This packet may hit different internet computers/routers that will route it to the target destination on its way to the target address. However, the data that we send (packets), source, routers along the way, and destination targets are all vulnerable to attacks. One of the most common attacks is a DoS Attack.

DoS Attack, also known as Denial of Service attack, is when the target destination, be it a website, for example, is flooded with requests by sending an abnormal number of packets to it. The website will struggle to keep up and may result in a crash and unable to respond to regular human requests. "A denial-of-service condition is accomplished by flooding the targeted host or network with traffic until the target cannot respond or simply crashes, preventing access for legitimate users." (CISA, 2019).

There are other ways that we might be vulnerable to attacks via the internet. For example, phishing and computer viruses. Computers and email clients/websites are usually vulnerable when there is no anti-virus and firewall active. Anti-virus software can identify, block, warn, and delete known threats, and firewalls are there to manage and allow/block connections to a network or internet.

Computer viruses are programs that infect the system files of a computer and potentially corrupting the files "A computer virus is a program that runs on a user's computer without permission, and spreads itself to other computers, often via email. " (Vahid & Lysecky, 2017). Such viruses can be downloaded from the internet by opening an email attachment. For example, " The most common way for a virus to spread is via email, where a user is tricked into downloading and running an application that installs a virus." (Vahid & Lysecky, 2017). Once on the computer, it can then be transferred by a removable media device such as a USB or an external storage device. That is why it is recommended to have an anti-virus application running at all times and performing security updates and virus scans regularly to prevent potential damage from viruses. "Install anti-virus software from a reputable vendor. Update it and use it regularly." (CISA, n.d).

Phishing is another common form of vulnerability that we, as internet users, may experience daily. A prevalent example (I experienced it myself) is when you get an email from a legitimate business, such as PayPal, telling you that there is a security breach on your account. It's crucial to click on this link to resolve it. You may see that the logo of PayPal is there, and the message to look as if it's from PayPal. However, if you click and check where the message came from, you will find that it came from a different or similar email to PayPal. Phishing is tricking the targeted audience into giving them personal and confidential information by faking emails and making them look legitimate. "A scammer contacts you pretending to be from a legitimate business such a bank, telephone, or internet service provider. You may be contacted by email, social media, phone call, or text message." (ACCC, n.d). To avoid phishing, try to check where the email came from and, if necessary, call and see if the email was real rather than clicking on the email or calling the number provided there. "Do not click on any links or open attachments from emails claiming to be from your bank or another trusted organisation and asking you to update or verify your details – just press delete." (ACCC, n.d). While some of these emails may be sent to random email addresses, it is also recommended that you do not provide your email address on unknown websites so that you do not risk receiving such emails.

References:

Austrlian Competition& Consumer Commission, (N.D), Scamwatch/Phishing. Retrieved from: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/attempts-to-gain-your-personal-information/phishing

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, (N.D), Understanding Denial of Service Attacks. Retrieved from: https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-015

Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2017). Fundamentals of Information Technology & Literacy. Retrieved from: https://learn.zybooks.com/zybook/ASHFORDINT100AcademicYear2018/chapter/2/sectio n/9?modal_name=about-zybook