Материал: English_for_IT_I-II_years

Usually, there are several kinds of access that can be specified. For instance, a person may be able to read a data item but not change it. Or he may be able to both read and modify it. If the data is a program, a person may be able to have the computer execute the program without being able either to read or modify it. Thus, people can be allowed to use programs without being able to change them or find out how they work.

Needless to say, access to the security matrix itself must be re­stricted to one authorized person.

Also, the software has to be reliable. Even the software issued by reputable vendors may be full of bugs. One or more bugs may make it possible for a person to circumvent the security system. The secu­rity provisions of more than one computer system have been evad­ed by high school and college students.

Restricting the Console Operator. Most computer systems are ex­tremely vulnerable to the console operator. That’s because the op­erator can use the switches on the computer’s control panel to insert programs of his own devising, to read in unauthorized pro­grams, or to examine and modify confidential information, in­cluding the security matrix. In the face of these capabilities, any software security system is helpless. Computer systems for han­dling sensitive information must be designed so that the console operator, like other users, works through the software security system and cannot override it. One solution is to incorporate the security system in firmware instead of software, so that unautho­rized changes to it cannot be made easily.

Task 2. Discuss the following questions:

1. What is computer security?

2. What is the most serious problem: the loss of hardware, software, or the loss of data?

3. How does a computer system detect whether you are the person who should be granted access to it?

4. What are the shortcomings of each biometric means?

5. What is to prevent any user from copying PC software onto dis­kettes?

6. What steps can be taken to prevent theft or alteration of data?

7. What is the weakest link in any computer system?

8. Should a programmer also be a computer operator?

9. What is a security matrix?

10. Can the computer industry risk being without safeguards for securi­ty and privacy?

Task 3. Find English equivalents to the following words:

Забезпечити надійний захист інформації, загроза інформаційній безпеці, несанкціонований доступ, база даних, юридична відповідальність, протиправний акт, економічне шпигунство, зломник.

Task 4. Complete the sentences as in the text:

1. One of the most important problem for computer science is the providing ------

2. There are some legal ----- of computer protection.

3. Security of stored information from any unsanctioned ---

4. The main purpose of information protection is ----- from leak, theft, distortion of information.

5. Sometimes ----- get a job with a goal of personal enrichment.

Task 5. Give synonyms to:

To encrypt, to secure, confidential, biometric, recognition, imposter, to meet requirements, to detect, to lose business, appearance, to incorpo­rate, unless, to circumvent.

Give antonyms to:

Convenient, advocate, to reject, to encrypt, legitimate, messy, autho­rized, white-collar crime, to safeguard info, sensitive, to retrieve data, practical, by chance, private.

Task 6. Put the proper words into sentences:

foolproof, complicated, virus, unauthorized, crime, fingerprint, alter­ing, messages.

1. Computer security is more ... today than it was in the past.

2. International literature tells lurid stories about computer viruses ... — about bank swindles, espionage, sent from one computer to destroy the contents of others.

3. Movies like War Games have dramatized the dangers from ... entry to the computer systems that control nuclear weapons.

4. Methods used in computer-based criminal activity range from switch­ing or ... data as they enter the computer, to pulling self-conceal­ing instruction into the software.

5. The person who develops a ... lock for the computer data will make a fortune.

6. ... is the name generally given to software that causes ... of computer files.

7. People must be taught that some kinds of help, such as assisting ... users with passwords are inappropriate.

8. According to a published article, the Mafia has kidnapped an IBM executive and cut off his finger because it needed his ... to breach a computer security system.

9. Data sent over communication lines can be protected by encryp­tion, the process of scrambling ...

10. Firewall is security measures taken to block ... access to an Internet site.

Task 7. Mark the true sentences (T) and the false ones (F), according to the text.

1. The importance of information protection can be doubted.

2. “Hackers” are not so dangerous as ‘crackers”.

3. Poverty of “hackers” is the main reason of their computer crimes.

4. The problem of information security is not so old.

5. Every organization should set protection system.

Task 8. Define the function of that (those) in the following sentences and translate them.

1. This system of information security is more efficient than that described in that journal. 2. Computers are devices that are capable of very rapid and accurate calculation. 3. We know that the term “computer crime” was first used in the early 70-s. 4. On that day the main character of committing computer crimes was found. 5. Some think that computer crimes can be defined as unlawful actions. 6. The information protection system was similar to that described previously. 7. There are computers that can do many jobs. 8. That Ch. Babbage invented the first computer is well known. 9. Since that time it represents a threat to information safety. 10. Different forms of computer criminality were found in their company similar to those used in Vidtec.

Task 9. Discuss the following questions:

1. What is the main problem of information protection?

2. When was the term “computer crime “used?

3. What is security concerned with?

4. Why have computer crimes spread so quickly?

5. What is the difference between “hackers” and “crackers?

6. How can the main purpose of information protection be achieved?

7. What unlawful actions are implied by computer crimes?

8. What does statistics say about computer crimes?

9. Why are so many computer crimes committed?

10. Can you suggest the appropriate solution of the information protection?

Task 10. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

1. Web browsers warn you if the connection is not secure; they display a message when you try to send personal information to a server.

2. Private networks use a software and hardware mechanism, called a 'firewall', to block unauthorized traffic from the Internet.

3. You have to type your user name and password to access a locked computer system or network.

4. An open padlock in Netscape Communicator indicates the page is not secure; a closed padlock indicates the page is encrypted (secure).

Task 11. Read the text and do the exercises below.

Security and privacy on the Internet

There are a lot of benefits from an open system like the Internet, but we are also exposed to hackers who break into computer systems just for fun, as well as to steal information or propagate viruses. So how do you go about making online transactions secure?

Security on the Web

The question of security is crucial when sending confidential information such as credit card numbers. For example, consider the process of buying a book on the Web. You have to type your credit card number into an order form which passes from computer to computer on its way to the online bookstore. If one of the intermediary computers is infiltrated by hackers, your data can be copied. It is difficult to say how often this happens, but it's technically possible.

To avoid risks, you should set mail security alerts to high on your Web browser. Netscape Communicator and Internet Explorer display a lock when the Web page is secure and allow you to disable or delete “cookies”.

If you use online bank services, make sure your bank uses digital certificates. A popular security standard is SET (secure electronic transactions).

E-mail privacy

Similarly, as your e-mail message travels across the net, it is copied temporarily on many computers in between. This means it can be read, by unscrupulous people who illegally enter computer systems.

The only way to protect a message is to put it in a sort of 'envelope', that is, to encode it with some form of encryption. A system designed to send e-mail privately is Pretty Good Privacy, a freeware program written by Phil Zimmerman.

Network security

Private networks connected to the Internet can be attacked by intruders who attempt to take valuable information such as Social Security numbers, bank accounts or research and business reports.

To protect crucial data, companies hire security consultants who analyze the risks and provide security solutions. The most common methods of protection are passwords for access control, encryption and decryption systems, and firewalls.

Virus protection

Viruses can enter a PC through files from disks, the Internet or bulletin board systems. If you want to protect your system, don't open e-mail attachments from strangers and take care when downloading files from the Web. (Plain text e-mail alone can't pass a virus.)

Remember also to update your anti-virus software as often as possible, since new viruses are being created all the time.

Preventative tips

Don’t open email attachments from unknown people; always take note of the file extension.

Run and update antivirus programs, e.g. virus scanners.

Install a firewall, a program designed to prevent spyware from gaining access to the internal network.

Make backup copies of your files regularly.

Don’t accept files from high-risk sources.

Use a digital certificate, an electronic way of proving your identity, when you are doing business on the Internet. Avoid giving credit card numbers.

Don’t believe everything you read on the Net. Have a suspicious attitude toward its contents.

Task 11. Find the answers to these questions.

1. Why is security so important on the Internet?

2. What security features are offered by Netscape Communicator and Internet Explorer?

3. What security standard is used by most banks to make online transactions secure?

4. How can we protect and keep our e-mail private?

5. What methods are used by companies to make internal networks secure?

6. Which ways can a virus enter a computer system?

Task 12. Complete these sentences by using a term from the text. Then write the words in the puzzle.

U sers have to enter a p … to gain access to a network.

1. You can download a lot of f … or public domain programs from the net.

2. Hundreds of h … break into computer systems every year.

3. A computer v … can infect your files and corrupt your hard disk.

4. The process of encoding data so that unauthorized users can't read the data is known as e … .

5. A f … is a device which allows limited access to an internal network from the Internet.

6. You can include an a … as part of your e-mail message.

7. This company uses d … techniques to decode (or decipher) secret data.

Task 13. Fill in the gaps in these security tips with words from the box.

1. Malicious software, (1) … , can be avoided by following some basic rules.

2. Internet users who like cybershopping should get a (2) … , an electronic identity card.

3. To prevent crackers from breaking into your internal network and obtaining your data, install a (3) … . It will protect you from (4) … .

4. If you have been hit by a (5) … , don’t panic! Download a clean-up utility and always remember to use on (6) … program, for example, a virus (7) ….

Text 19B. INTERNET SECURITY