Data Protection

Data Protection

1. Threats

   • Hackers
     • Illegally gaining unauthorised access to a network or computer
   • Viruses
     • code which can copy itself and damage a computer system, by corrupting and destroying files
   • Spyware
     • Software that tracks the way you use your computer to gain information: i.e. passwords and emails
   • email Phishing
     • Emails sent pretending to be banks, etc. in order to gain important details
   • Spam emails
     • emails sent in large proportions and very often, that just fill up your computer and can contain damaging attachments

2. Precautions that can be taken

   • anit-malware software
     • Anti-spyware
     • anti-virus
     • Anti-spam
   • firewalls
     • software that tracks requested data traffic and stops and non-requested data from passing through
   • Data encyrption
     • jumbles data using a key, can only be read using a key
     • Sites using this have https:// or a padlock symbol
   • system measures
     • access rights
     • usernames and passwords
     • physical restrictions
       • door locks
         • biometric security:
           • thumb and iris scanners