Computer security is the protection of computer systems and networks from attacks by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, theft of, or damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide1
Computer security is important because it helps prevent cyberattacks that can cause significant harm to individuals, organizations, and society. Cyberattacks can compromise personal information, financial assets, business operations, national security, and public safety2
Some of the common types of cyberattacks are:
- Malware: Malicious software that infects a computer or system, such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, etc.
- Phishing: Fraudulent emails or websites that trick users into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware.
- Denial-of-service (DoS): Attacks that overwhelm a server or network with traffic or requests, making it unavailable or slow for legitimate users.
- Man-in-the-middle (MITM): Attacks that intercept or alter the communication between two parties, such as eavesdropping, spoofing, or tampering.
- SQL injection: Attacks that exploit a vulnerability in a database-driven website or application, allowing the attacker to execute malicious SQL commands.
- Brute force: Attacks that attempt to guess a password or encryption key by trying many possible combinations.
Some of the best practices for computer security are:
- Use strong and unique passwords for different accounts and devices, and change them regularly.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible, which requires an additional verification step besides a password, such as a code sent to your phone or email, or a biometric scan.
- Use antivirus and firewall software to protect your computer from malware and unauthorized access, and keep them updated.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments in emails or websites, and verify the sender or source before providing any information.
- Backup your data regularly to an external device or cloud service, in case of data loss or ransomware attack.
- Encrypt your data when storing or transmitting it, especially sensitive or confidential data, to prevent unauthorized access or modification.
- Educate yourself and others about the latest cyberthreats and security trends, and follow the security policies and guidelines of your organization or institution.
If you want to learn more about computer security, you can check out some of the resources I found online: