What is Computer Security?
Computer Security is a branch of technology known as information security as applied to computers. Information security means protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. The objective of computer security varies and can include protection of information from theft or corruption, or the preservation of availability, as defined in the security policy.
Technological and managerial procedures applied to computer systems to ensure the availability, integrity and confidentiality of information managed by the computer system
Computer security imposes requirements on computers that are different from most system requirements because they often take the form of constraints on what computers are not supposed to do.
Typical approaches to improving computer security can include the following:
Physically limit access to computers to only those who will not compromise security.
Hardware mechanisms that impose rules on computer programs, thus avoiding depending on computer programs for computer security.
Operating system mechanisms that impose rules on programs to avoid trusting computer programs.
Programming strategies to make computer programs dependable and resist subversion.
Computer Security has three Layers:
o Hacking
o Cracking
o Phreaking
Hacking:
Unauthorized use or attempts to circumvent or bypass the security mechanisms of an information system or network.