Security Risks and Precautions

Course Content Specification

Describe and identify the implications for individuals and businesses of the Computer Misuse Act 1990:

• • unauthorised access to computer material

  • unauthorised access with intent to commit a further offence

  • unauthorised modification of programs or data on a computer

Describe and identify the security risks of:

• tracking cookies

• DOS (Denial of Service) attacks:

  • symptoms (slow performance, inability to access)

  • effects (disruption to users and businesses)

  • costs (lost revenue, labour in rectifying fault)

  • type of fault (bandwidth consumption, resource starvation, Domain Name Service (DNS) )

  • reasons (financial, political, personal)

Describe how encryption is used to secure transmission of data:

• • use of public and private keys

  • digital certificates

  • digital signatures