Many people ignorant of computer security<\/p>\n
By Zainal A. Hasibuan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): As more and more people buy computers, security
\nthreats are increasing. However, many computer users are still
\nnot aware of the importance of computer security.<\/p>\n
Computer security protects your computer as well as its
\nenvironment: the building, people, network, cable, monitor,
\nprinter, disks, tapes, and so forth. Most importantly, computer
\nsecurity protects the data and information stored in your system.<\/p>\n
Many people think that computer security only means protecting
\na computer against intruders breaking into a system to steal
\ninformation. Although such a threat does exist, it is not the
\nmost dangerous. Other threats, like electrical surges, lightning,
\nfire, destruction by a colleague (editing, deleting, destroying),
\nspilt coffee, viruses, backup failure and so on are more
\nprobable. These threats are likely to cause computer users
\nday-to-day problems.<\/p>\n
Every computer system is vulnerable to attack. The more
\nthreats you anticipate, the more carefully you will need to be in
\nconsidering how to protect your system.<\/p>\n
Computer security identifies vulnerable areas and then
\nprotects against these threats.<\/p>\n
Threats can be intentional or unintentional, from friend or
\nenemy. Damage can vary from an altered file to a stolen computer.
\nIt is common for people to leave their computer unattended while
\nthey go to the toilet or get a drink. This is an invitation for a
\ncolleague to see what you were doing, and steal or alter
\nimportant information.<\/p>\n
Outsiders can also get into your system and copy important
\ninformation. If it is a banking computer system, they can steal
\nmoney from it. If it is a government computer system, they can
\nspy or copy important information and then sell it. Or they can
\nsimply put a virus into the system.<\/p>\n
Unintentional threats are dangers stemming from ignorance. A
\ncomputer user who has not been trained properly, or who is not
\nfamiliar with the system, or who does not understand the value of
\nthe system, can cause a disaster. A user might overwrite a file
\nwith an empty file, or damage a disk causing a loss of data, or
\nexpose the computer to heat that might cause a melted chip.<\/p>\n
Natural disasters, like earthquakes, pose an obvious threat.
\nSystems can be destroyed in fires or by heavy rains that cause
\nelectrical surges.<\/p>\n
Crime ranges from computer theft to computer generated fraud.
\nThe boom in computer networks and sophisticated communication
\ntechnology, as well as feasible access to the Internet, increase
\nthe risks to a computer system. Computer crimes range from
\nstealing somebody else data or information, to making bogus
\npayments at automated bank tellers.<\/p>\n
To secure your system from unintentional threats, you must
\nbackup all important information on your computer. How often you
\nmake backups depends on how much you work on your computer. Being
\naware of the possibility of a natural disaster is also a good
\nidea.<\/p>\n
Having a backup also secures you against intentional threats.
\nVirus attacks can be countered by the many vaccines available. To
\nsecure your computer against thieves, setting a password to the
\nlevel of a file and protecting the right to read and write a
\nfile, are basic steps. Protect your computer account with a
\npassword and change it regularly (maybe once a month). You can
\nalso protect your computer system with an audio alarm in the room
\nor building where the computer is located. Lastly, never leave
\nyour computer unattended, especially when important information
\nis on screen.<\/p>\n
Zainal A. Hasibuan is an academic staff of Computer Science
\nCenter of the University of Indonesia.<\/p>",
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