Computer Hacking & Firewalls

This week I have decided to explain about computer hacking and firewalls i.e. how firewall safeguard the user from hackers.

About Hacking

Hacking refers to, when a group or single user is trying to gain access to someone’s computer via networks. Before accessing someone’s computer, hackers have to bypass the security settings before they can gain access this is where a firewall comes into play to safeguard you.

The list below shows what hackers can achieve once they gain access to the computer system:

• Can monitor on what the user is doing.

• Obtain computer programs and alter their settings.

• Obtain private and confidential data and copy or even cut it to their computer, for example; credit card numbers, bank account details, user passwords for e-mail accounts and other types of accounts online are all at risk.

• Format the users hard drive

• Make changes to computer settings

• Once they have got hold of the users data, the data can be sold onto malicious groups, which my lead onto identity theft issues further down the line.

• If they use your personal information for drug dealing and other sorts of malicious crimes, then you might get a criminal record and you might have to prove that someone’s stole your I.D.

How firewall security works?

Firewalls are barriers that protects against unwanted access from unknown users, hackers or users that are blocked from the network system. Firewalls work by allowing and denying ports on the network or IP address.

If someone outside the network was trying to hack into the network system they will be denied access from the network because it will deny access by blocking their IP address or port using TCP/IP module. In simpler terms a firewall is to protect the network by blocking malicious software or applications outside the network, which might be used by hackers.

There are two types of firewall, which are hardware firewalls and software firewalls .

Diagram on how firewall safeguard the network system:

Coursework Update

In this unit, I am managing to keep up with my course work. At the moment I have completed; P1, P6, P2, M2 and nearly completed my P3 presentation. I have chosen Dubai as my topic for my presentation, which I will be presenting on Tuesday 17th November 2009. Overall I think my progression rate in this unit is good because I am handing in the required tasks within the required time set by the lecturer. Also I am updating this blog weekly as required, but this is the first time I am including weekly updates of my courses work in this unit. From now on I intend to include weekly updates on my progression in this unit as well as my chosen topic, which is about computer systems.

Advatages & Disadvantages of networks

This week I have decided to talk about advantages and the disadvantages of network technology. Choosing the right technology and employing someone with the right skill set is crucial, because specialist skills are needed to set up networks. The technology used should be optimal for area where the network is going to be set up e.g. using the right topology like Ring topology for instance.

There are many positives of networked systems as well as negatives. Here is a list of advantages and disadvantages of setting up network systems:

Advantages

Fast Response Times - With efficient and high performance servers e.g. with fast processor, bigger memory capacity, hubs that use optical fibre cables etc. The response time will be less noticed, for example all of the workstations in a workplace, which are connected to the network will not regularly experience; system crashes, slow systems, loss of connection from the network etc, due to the server that is being used and the cables, which are optical fibre. With low response times in an organisation tasks become faster and more efficient.

Unauthorised access to information - Most networks have accounts for each user, which need Account ID and password to login. To prevent unauthorised information to be accessed, administrators or network managers set access rights. The login procedure identifies the user and tells the server of their permissions and access rights, these terms show what that specific user can and cannot have access to.

Network topologies - The use of the right network topologies for network systems is crucial because this will reduce cost and complexity of the network, for example the network manager in organisations will choose a network topology that will run the network efficiently and take into account hardware, which needs to be networked. There are many different network topologies, which are Ring, Mesh, Star, Fully connected, Line, Tree and Bus. All have different ways of communicating between hardware e.g. workstations.

Disadvantages

Slow Response Times - An office with a small server that has got low performance components running the network, which all of the office’s computers’ are connected and running simultaneously will result in longer response times. This means the system will have, regular system crashes, system running slowly and other factors which make the network congested. When slow response times occurs in the network system users tend to become frustrated.

Staff skills - Network users need slightly higher skills than those using just a standalone computer. Training can be provided for those who are not familiar with network systems by showing them how to log on, the importance of passwords, sharing files and using work areas. Some organisations put users on training courses so that they are familiar with network systems, but this can be time consuming and costly for organisations hence organisations would prefer staffs, which are already qualified.

Increased Complexity and Costs - Network systems are known to be more complex than the same number of standalone computers. Due to interconnection of all the hardware, also installation of the operating system, adds to the overall complexity hence the costs of the system.

Security Issues - Security issues can become a problem in organisations, for example if a user works in an office environment and the user’s friend who worked in same office, access your personal record from their workstations. There might be information stored that you do not wish to share with anyone in the organisation. Examples of information you do not want anyone to know home address, mobile phone number and home phone number, unless you have chosen to give it to them hence you may not be happy if everyone in the office could access that information.


Example of a network:

Useful Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_topology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network

http://www.howstuffworks.com/fiber-optic.htm

Installing a sound card

One day, I decided to upgrade my sound card in my computer because my existing sound card was not functioning. In this post I will explain how I installed the sound card, and explain the safety precautions used during installation. This guide would particularly be useful for a novice computer user.

Before installing the sound card, I used an anti-static mat and wrist band so the components of the computer would not get damaged through electronic charge.

To install the sound card; I opened the side panel on the case by pushing the latch down. Once I opened the side panel and removed the blanking plate of the PCI slot using a screw driver, I then inserted a Sumvision 5.1 multi-channel PCI sound card by pushing it carefully into the vacant PCI slot. Once I inserted the sound card; I then inserted the CD inside the CD/DVD drive to install the drivers for the sound card.

To test if the sound card was operating correctly; I plugged in some speakers and opened MS Windows Media Player and played a sample audio file.

Useful Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp4TDe814WU

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card

Computer Health & Safety

It is very important that you safe-guard yourself during installing hardware components and to not cause harm to the computer system. Exposure to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is one main issues on how internal hardware components get damaged, for example if the motherboard is in contact with ESD it will make the motherboard non-functional, due high charge being exposed to the chip-set. ESD is basically is a high electric current that flows between two objects, which can damage electronic conductors.

Here are some safety tips on how to safe-guard yourself from electric shock and dealing with incidence when working with computers, also describing prevention of ESD to hardware components:

1. To avoid the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can damage the computers components beyond repair, make sure you wear anti-static wrist strap to avoid damage to the components.

2. If a person has experienced electric shock when working with internal components of the computer and is unconscious turn off the power from the mains outlet and call for help e.g. call 999. Also you must not give physical contact to the person that has experienced electric shock because electric current might still be flowing through their body.

3. When cuts and abrasions appear for instance lifting computers, make sure you cover the cuts and abrasions immediately to prevent further injury. Also if the cuts and abrasions are serious call for help.

4. Before operating with internal components of the computer make sure that you comply with Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

5. Do not touch the metal connectors on peripheral cards and memory modules, for example PCI, AGP, PCI Express, RAM etc because if electronic charge comes in contact with the connector, the peripheral card or memory modules may not function because the transistors may be damaged

6. Make sure cables, which are connected to the computer, are not in sight where people can injure them selves e.g. tripping up on cable.

7. If the Power-Supply-Unit (PSU) has failed don’t repair it because there is a risk of electric shock, which may cause death or injury. Due to high current flow therefore replace the failed PSU with a new one.

8. Internal components, which are sensitive to ESD; memory modules, CPU, Motherboard, Hard Drive electronics and Solid State Drive.

9. When using a screwdriver make sure you don’t have the component in your hand when screwing or unscrewing because the screwdriver might slip and go through your hand. Screw or unscrew the component on a flat surface like a table.

10. Do not expose liquids to internal components; make sure the work area is clear from any liquids because liquids can also damage the internal components beyond repair.

My Health & Safety Poster

Useful Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrostatic_discharge

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/implications/3healthandsafetyrev1.shtml

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/HealthAndSafetyAtWork/DG_10026668

My Shut The Box Program

I decided to experiment with Visual Basic (VB) programming language to create a game called Shut The Box. Before creating the game in VB, I deigned the layout for the game on paper.

Layout Design:


Once I had planed everything out for the design of the game, I then started to create the game in VB.


Here is an image of what game looks like in its final stages of development:





Useful Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEAdhdCveBk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ExYIkr58to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLlZGBQ6TKs&feature=PlayList&p=96F942037DAE80CC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=50

Different Types of Operating System

There are many different Operating Systems (OS), which all function in different ways from one another.

Purposes of Operating Systems (OS)

Operating Systems are known as Graphical User Interface (GUI), which means an interface that enables users interact with programs, rather than typing commands in Command Line Interface (CLI). The purposes of operating systems is to make it easier to access the computers’ resources i.e. accessing disks, folders, files etc, another purpose is that it enables computing applications to run e.g. Mozilla Firefox, MS Office, Adobe Photoshop etc. The operating system also handles the operation of the hardware e.g. in MS Windows XP, when installing new hardware to the computer, the OS automatically searches for a specific driver for the hardware or asks for a CD/DVD that comes with the specific hardware.

Here are some examples of operating systems:

Microsoft Windows XP

URL: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-XP/osoft.com/windows/windows-XP/

Apple Mac OSX

URL: http://www.apple.com/uk/macosx/pple.com/uk/macosx/

Ubuntu (Linux)

URL: www.ubuntu.com/