Cyber Security Lecture Notes

Introduction to Cyber Security

• Cybersecurity involves techniques that secure digital components, networks, data, and computer systems from unauthorized access.
• Importance for both individuals and organizations to understand and implement cybersecurity measures.

Case Study: Anne's Experience

• Background:
  • Anne frequently shops on www.shoppingcart.com, with her information stored for convenience.
• Incident:
  • Received a fraudulent email claiming eligibility for a discount voucher.
  • Believed email was legitimate and entered account credentials.
  • Resulted in unauthorized access to her account and loss of money.

Types of Cyber Attacks

1. Malware Attacks:

   • Types include Trojan, adware, spyware.
   • Can infect systems through suspicious downloads.

2. Phishing Attacks:

   • Fraudulent emails that appear legitimate.
   • Aim to install malware or steal sensitive information (credit card info, login credentials).

3. Man-in-the-Middle Attack:

   • Hacker intercepts communication between a user and a website, often via unsecured networks.

4. Password Attacks:

   • Cracking passwords using common passwords or brute force methods.

Cyber Security Practices Implemented by Anne

• Firewall:
  • Acts as a barrier between the computer and the internet, filtering traffic to safeguard the network.
• Honeypots:
  • Dummy systems designed to lure attackers away from the real systems.
• Unique Passwords:
  • Use of alphanumeric passwords to enhance security.
• Antivirus Software:
  • Protects against malware and other threats.
• Avoiding Unknown Emails:
  • Being cautious with unsolicited emails.

Cyber Attacks on Organizations

• Advanced Persistent Threat (APT):
  • Long-term access to networks for continuous information theft.
• Denial of Service (DoS) Attack:
  • Network flooded with traffic, preventing legitimate requests from being processed.
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack:
  • Similar to DoS, but from multiple systems.
• SQL Injection Attack:
  • Manipulation of database queries to access or alter database content.

Careers in Cyber Security

• Ethical Hacker:
  • Identifies and resolves vulnerabilities in networks.
• Security Architect:
  • Designs robust security structures.
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO):
  • Oversees enterprise security and information safety.

Conclusion

• Anticipation of increased cyber attacks with the growth of global digital data.
• Need for cybersecurity professionals to prevent these attacks.
• Encouragement to pursue certifications in cybersecurity for a lucrative career opportunity.