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If you are in charge of securing your school's computer lab, what steps would
you take to protect the computers from hackers, and how would you ensure
that your classmates' data stays safe?
CYBER THREATS
Cyber threat is a criminal activity in which computers are used to damage data, steal data, or
disrupt the digital life of a person. Most cyber threats are carried out in order to gain personal
profit. Some people break security only to check their skills.
Types of Cyber Threats
There are various types of cyber threats. Some of them are as follows:
Data Diddling
This refers to the process of changing the data going into or out of a computer. For example, a
student breaks into his/her university’s grade recording system and changes the grades he/she
earned in the last semester or class, thus raising his/her grade point average.
Phreaking
This crime is committed against telephone companies by using computers with the goal of
making free long-distance calls, impersonating directory assistance or other operator services,
diverting calls to numbers of the perpetrator’s choice, or tapping phone lines.
Cloning
This refers to a fraud in which scanners are used to steal the electronic serial numbers of cellular
phones, which may be used for billing purposes and making broadcast calls. With stolen serial
numbers, clones can be made to make free calls that are billed to the owner of the original cell phone.
Carding
This refers to the process of stealing credit card numbers online, to be resold or used to charge
merchandise against the victim’s account.
Hacking
Hacking is when someone accesses someone else's computer or account without permission.
They might steal information, change things, or cause other problems. People who engage in
computer hacking activities are often called hackers.
Some organisations actually employ computer hackers as part of their technical support staff.
These individuals use their skills to find flaws in the company’s security system so that they can
be repaired quickly. In many cases, this type of computer hacking helps prevent identity theft
and other serious computer-related crimes.
Cracking
The process of stealing personal information, changing financial data, and breaking security
systems to gain unauthorised access to computer systems is called cracking. The people who
are involved in the process of cracking are called crackers.
Software cracking is considered illegal and cracked software is often called pirated software.
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