Journal Entry #5

How can you tell if your computer is safe?

     When I began writing to answer this question, I initially thought it would be fairly simple to answer, but the thought process it has involved leads me to believe this is the most important question we’ve yet had to write about in this class. If I’m asked to tell someone whether my, or their, computer is safe, I would need to understand what is meant by “safe”: how long a time would the computer need to be safe for it to be considered safe?
     My physical computer is safe from theft or tampering if it is locked in my house or other secure facility, but it remains safe only until someone steals my key or breaks into the location my computer is being stored in. That would make it safe for now, but with no guarantee of being safe forever. The more complex the locks are to store my computer, the availability of me using it decreases.
     The data on my computer would be relatively safe, for now, while still connected to a LAN or WAN if I made sure my operating system was consistently updated, anti-virus software current, and IPS and firewall mechanisms in place, but that safety would last only until I mistakenly open a phishing email with malware in it, or fall victim to a hacking effort to gain unauthorized access. Again, safe for now, but no guarantee of being safe forever. I could physically and/or wirelessly disconnect my computer from the network I use to improve safety, but then I may not be able to get any work done if my work relies on using, importing, or sending information to or from private or public networks. Again, availability would decrease as safety increases.
     I’ll believe the data on my computer hasn’t been tampered with, and maintains integrity, as long as I don’t notice any changes in my data. That would make me feel that my computer is safe. But that feeling of safety would only last until I find evidence of a data breach; someone gaining unauthorized access could lead to a loss of integrity, confidentiality, or availability of my data. I would no longer feel that my computer is safe.
     I can tell if my computer is safe for the moment if it’s operating system and anti-virus software is kept up to date, I maintain a strong password or multi-authentication login credential, use a firewall or IPS, and keep my computer in a secure physical environment, but I would only feel safe for as long as I don’t notice any unwanted applications opening, unauthorized changes to my data, or see evidence of any unwanted data imports/exports. This assessment of having a safe computer wouldn’t be permanent. It would only last if an intrusion, corruption, or unauthorized access fails to happen. I believe there is no such thing as a 100% completely and permanently safe computer. But we can lower our likelihood of experiencing a cyber-attack and ensure we maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our data for our purposes by following best practices and staying aware of the threats that continue to evolve and exist. Defense in
depth uses many layers of security mechanisms to dissuade attackers.

Describe three ways that computers have made the world safer and less safe.

Computers have made the world safer through communication speed; authorities and law enforcement can now track threat or criminal information between cities, states, and nations. Computers have also made the world less safe by exposing each company that has an internet connection to malicious attack from criminals world-wide. Computers have made the world safer by allowing a homeowner to use an app to view security camera footage or receive a home alarm alert while he is away. Computers have also made the world less safe by making personal information, addresses, and family details public: information that could be used to financially steal from others. Computers have made the world safer by enabling friends and family to communicate with each other or see photos/video of one another despite physical distance, helping to maintain mental health while separated because of work or life circumstances. Computers have also made the world less safe by bringing about social media, which can degrade mental health through causing people to constantly compare themselves to others, or compare themselves to how others portray themselves online.  

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