The protection of data against unauthorized access. Programs and data can be secured by issuing passwords and digital certificates to authorized users. However, passwords only validate that a correct number has been entered, not that it is the actual person. Digital certificates and biometric techniques (fingerprints, eyes, voice, etc.) provide a more secure method (see authentication). After a user has been authenticated, sensitive data can be encrypted to prevent eavesdropping (see cryptography).
Authorized Users Can Be the Most Dangerous
Although precautions can be taken to authenticate users, it is much more difficult to determine if an authorized employee is doing something malicious. Someone may have valid access to an account for updating, but determining whether phony numbers are being entered requires a great deal more processing. The bottom line is that effective security measures are always a balance between technology and personnel management. See Parkerian hexad, information assurance, security scan, security audit, audit trail, NCSC, ICSA, access control, share-level security, user-level security and social engineering.
Face Recognition
Face recognition is one of the best ways to authenticate a person. This TrueFace system from Miros uses neural network technology to distinguish a face with different appearances, such as with and without glasses and changing hair styles. (Image courtesy of Miros, Inc.)
Authorized Users Can Be the Most Dangerous
Although precautions can be taken to authenticate users, it is much more difficult to determine if an authorized employee is doing something malicious. Someone may have valid access to an account for updating, but determining whether phony numbers are being entered requires a great deal more processing. The bottom line is that effective security measures are always a balance between technology and personnel management. See Parkerian hexad, information assurance, security scan, security audit, audit trail, NCSC, ICSA, access control, share-level security, user-level security and social engineering.
Face Recognition
Face recognition is one of the best ways to authenticate a person. This TrueFace system from Miros uses neural network technology to distinguish a face with different appearances, such as with and without glasses and changing hair styles. (Image courtesy of Miros, Inc.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- House bill calls for ISPs to block some fake financial sites
- Good grief!Now the BIG LETHARGIC Gov is going to tell people what sites they can go to and tell ISP's to block them???GOOD GRIEF! It is out of control, 2010 is coming and these socialist will be sent back home... AHHHH the sound of 1984 is very much alive..and well...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-05
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- Software downloads 2009-11-05
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- Software downloads 2009-11-05
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- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- Microsoft does a 180 on Exchange 2007 support (in a good way)
- Why does Microsoft continue to be so clueless?I swear some of the decisions this company makes about their products amazes me. What were they thinking by not supporting Exchange 2007 on 2008 R2?Hmm.They were thinking... Why would you upgrade the server OS and not upgrade Exchange? It makes us...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-04
- Congress may require ISPs to block fraud sites
- It`s About Time!they should block and prosecute those sites that send and try to install virus/spyware throught peoples computers.they should loose their internet connection right way,and have their name/info somewhere in a database, that a ISP can check before they can sign up for a internet service.DOING that i`m sure...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-04
- U.S. Ethics Committee staffer file-shares sensitive document
- So the answer will be change the technology, right??...I certainly hope not. The person responsible should be fired immediately, if this group is supposed to be so secretive and protective of their data. Putting ANY work-related material on your personal computer is not only a bad idea, it may be...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-04
- iHacked: jailbroken iPhones compromised, $5 ransom demanded
- ... WHAT?Who in their right mind keep a server running with default usernames/passwords on the default port....I doubt that jailbroken iPhones are alone in this. It's possible, specially if iPhones have a ssh server running, that this could happen on non-jailbroken iPhones also.Just one question...Has this person been remanded yet?...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-03
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- ADmitMac v3 allows Macintosh users running Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, or Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger with the latest updates, to participate in and take advantage of all the directory services provided by Microsoft's Active Directory, NT, and Apple's Workgroup Manager. As a result, administrators can manage their domain...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- 1Password 3.0.0.BETA-83 (Mac)
- 1Password is a Password Manager that uniquely brings you both Security and Convenience. It is the only program that provides Anti-Phishing protection and goes beyond password management by adding Web Form Filling and Automatic Strong Password Generation. All your confidential information, including passwords, identities, and credit cards, is kept in...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- Google "attacking" developer community?
- No.Improving their apps doesn't make them evil.Killing competition by giving away apps for "free" makes them evil.Isn't it a bit hypocritical to complain?After all Android developers are using Android which they didn't need to pay for because Google gave it to them. Where do they think those development funds...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-01
- Securing the Physical, Virtual, Cloud Continuum
- Information security best practices have not changed much in 15 years -- strong perimeter defense and defense in depth are still the primary security controls. However, virtualization and cloud computing are radically altering data center operations, leading to a hybrid physical/virtual/cloud computing environment. Securing this new environment demands the adoption...
- Webcasts 2009-11-01
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- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- SpywareFighter 3.1.74 (Windows)
- SpywareFighter is built to protect your PC against spyware, adware, and other unwanted software. SpywareFighter uses a security technology that prevents windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC will be detected and removed. This reduces negative effects caused by spyware, including slow PC...
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- Evernote 3.1.0.1225 (Windows)
- Evernote allows you to easily capture information in any environment using whatever device or platform you find most convenient, and makes this information accessible and searchable at any time, from anywhere. Use Evernote to jot notes, create to-do lists, clip entire Web pages, manage passwords, and record audio. Everything added...
- Software downloads 2009-10-31
- SecFocus RSS Reader for iPhone 1.0 (Mobile)
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- Software downloads 2009-10-30
- xCellEncrypt 2.1.1 (Windows)
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- Software downloads 2009-10-30
- SecretBox 2.0.2 (Mac)
- You can use SecretBox to store all sorts of information : Credit Card details, SSN numbers, Software Licenses, e-mail account details, product registration codes and serial numbers. All are easily stored in SecretBox's flexible database. Most people will use SecretBox for personal use, but businesses can also use SecretBox for...
- Software downloads 2009-10-30
- Xupport 3.6.0 (Mac)
- Xupport is a multipurpose system utility for Mac OS X. It provides many features to configure hidden Mac OS X and Unix options, to increase system security and performance, to maintain and backup Mac OS X, and to dig deeper into the world of Unix. Xupport 3 is fully compatible...
- Software downloads 2009-10-30
- Apple releases iTunes 9.0.2, kills Palm Pre sync ... again
- Round up the executive and throw them in jailApple's behavior is simply unacceptable.Palm... Shakes HeadNote to Palm: Make a Front end that uses the iTunes DB or quit trying to keep hacking. It is REALLY stupid. A) You will never keep ahead of this.B) Even if you keep fixing it,...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-29
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