Many people ignorant of computer security

By Zainal A. Hasibuan

JAKARTA (JP): As more and more people buy computers, security threats are increasing. However, many computer users are still not aware of the importance of computer security.

Computer security protects your computer as well as its environment: the building, people, network, cable, monitor, printer, disks, tapes, and so forth. Most importantly, computer security protects the data and information stored in your system.

Many people think that computer security only means protecting a computer against intruders breaking into a system to steal information. Although such a threat does exist, it is not the most dangerous. Other threats, like electrical surges, lightning, fire, destruction by a colleague (editing, deleting, destroying), spilt coffee, viruses, backup failure and so on are more probable. These threats are likely to cause computer users day-to-day problems.

Every computer system is vulnerable to attack. The more threats you anticipate, the more carefully you will need to be in considering how to protect your system.

Computer security identifies vulnerable areas and then protects against these threats.

Threats can be intentional or unintentional, from friend or enemy. Damage can vary from an altered file to a stolen computer. It is common for people to leave their computer unattended while they go to the toilet or get a drink. This is an invitation for a colleague to see what you were doing, and steal or alter important information.

Outsiders can also get into your system and copy important information. If it is a banking computer system, they can steal money from it. If it is a government computer system, they can spy or copy important information and then sell it. Or they can simply put a virus into the system.

Unintentional threats are dangers stemming from ignorance. A computer user who has not been trained properly, or who is not familiar with the system, or who does not understand the value of the system, can cause a disaster. A user might overwrite a file with an empty file, or damage a disk causing a loss of data, or expose the computer to heat that might cause a melted chip.

Natural disasters, like earthquakes, pose an obvious threat. Systems can be destroyed in fires or by heavy rains that cause electrical surges.

Crime ranges from computer theft to computer generated fraud. The boom in computer networks and sophisticated communication technology, as well as feasible access to the Internet, increase the risks to a computer system. Computer crimes range from stealing somebody else data or information, to making bogus payments at automated bank tellers.

To secure your system from unintentional threats, you must backup all important information on your computer. How often you make backups depends on how much you work on your computer. Being aware of the possibility of a natural disaster is also a good idea.

Having a backup also secures you against intentional threats. Virus attacks can be countered by the many vaccines available. To secure your computer against thieves, setting a password to the level of a file and protecting the right to read and write a file, are basic steps. Protect your computer account with a password and change it regularly (maybe once a month). You can also protect your computer system with an audio alarm in the room or building where the computer is located. Lastly, never leave your computer unattended, especially when important information is on screen.

Zainal A. Hasibuan is an academic staff of Computer Science Center of the University of Indonesia.