IT104 2nd Assignment ..

Discussion:

                    .! mMm .. this image suggests that the firewall intercepts LAN and WAN packets before they are on the network. It is then feasible to conclude that DoS attacks / packet flooding would be minimized by the use of a firewall, but there is no physical means to do that as the packets will (in practice) arrive on the network. -- 124.171.194.6 21:36, 3 May 2010 (UTC).

A firewall is a set of related programs, located at a network gateway server, that protects the resources of a private network from users from other networks. (The term also implies the security policy that is used with the programs.) An enterprise with an intranet that allows its workers access to the wider Internet installs a firewall to prevent outsiders from accessing its own private data resources and for controlling what outside resources its own users have access to.

Basically, a firewall, working closely with a router program, examines each network packet to determine whether to forward it toward its destination. A firewall also includes or works with a proxy server that makes network requests on behalf of workstation users. A firewall is often installed in a specially designated computer separate from the rest of the network so that no incoming request can get directly at private network resources.
There are a number of firewall screening methods. A simple one is to screen requests to make sure they come from acceptable (previously identified) domain name and Internet Protocol addresses. For mobile users, firewalls allow remote access in to the private network by the use of secure logon procedures and authentication certificates.
A number of companies make firewall products. Features include logging and reporting, automatic alarms at given thresholds of attack, and a graphical user interface for controlling the firewall.
Computer security borrows this term from firefighting, where it originated. In firefighting, a firewall is a barrier established to prevent the spread of fire.

IT104 aSSiGnMeNT

#1. Why has been there a dramatic increase in the number of computer related security incidents in recent years?

      ans : mMm maybe because nowadays .. there been so many avid users of computers .. So ,, the more number of users .. the more related computer incidents would spread ..

#2. What are some characteristics of common computer criminals, including their objective?

        ans : Convicted computer criminals are people who are caught and convicted of computer crimes such as breaking into computers or computer networks.^[1] Computer crime can be broadly defined as criminal activity involving information technology infrastructure, including illegal access (unauthorized access), illegal interception (by technical means of non-public transmissions of computer data to, from or within a computer system), data interference (unauthorized damaging, deletion, deterioration, alteration or suppression of computer data), systems interference (interfering with the functioning of a computer system by inputting, transmitting, damaging, deleting, deteriorating, altering or suppressing computer data), misuse of devices, forgery (or identity theft) and electronic fraud.^[2]

In the infancy of the hacker subculture and the computer underground,^[3] criminal convictions were rare because there was an informal code of ethics that was followed by white hat hackers.^[4] Proponents of hacking claim to be motivated by artistic and political ends, but are often unconcerned about the use of criminal means to achieve them.^[5] White hat hackers break past computer security for non-malicious reasons and do no damage, akin to breaking into a house and looking around.^[6] They enjoy learning and working with computer systems, and by this experience gain a deeper understanding of electronic security.^[6] As the computer industry matured, individuals with malicious intentions (black hats) would emerge to exploit computer systems for their own personal profit.^[6]

Convictions of computer crimes, or hacking, began as early as 1983 with the case of The 414s from the 414 area code in Milwaukee. In that case, six teenagers broke into a number of high-profile computer systems, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Security Pacific Bank. On May 1, 1983, one of the 414s, Gerald Wondra, was sentenced to two years of probation.^[7] As of 2009, the longest prison term for computer crimes—nearly five years—was handed down to Jeanson James Ancheta, who created hundreds of zombie computers to do his bidding via giant bot networks or botnets.^[8] He then sold the botnets to the highest bidder who in turn used them for Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.^[update]

#3. What actions must be taken in response to a security incidents?

       ans : By having these " Reducing Vulnerabilities" ..

" GLaMOuRoUs ..