Data security is about keeping data safe. Many individuals, small businesses and major companies rely heavily on their computer systems.
If the data on these computer systems is damaged, lost or stolen, it can lead to disaster.
Key threats to data security
- Data can be lost or damaged during a system crash - especially one affecting the hard disk.
- Data can become corrupt as a result of faulty disks or disk drives, or power failures.
- Data can be lost by accidentally deleting or overwriting files.
- Data can be lost or become corrupted by computer viruses.
- Data can be hacked into by unauthorised users and deleted or altered.
- Data can be destroyed by terrorist activities, war, bombs and fire.
- Data can be deleted or altered by unpleasant employees wishing to make money or seek revenge on their employers.
Keeping data secure
Measures that can be taken to keep data safe include:
- Making regular back-ups of files. (Back up copies should be stored safely in fireproof safes or in another building.)
- Protecting yourself against viruses by running an up-to-date anti-virus software.
- Using a system of passwords so that access to data is restricted.
- Safe storage of important files stored on removable disks - e.g. locked away in a fireproof and waterproof safe.
- Allowing only authorised staff into certain computer areas, e.g. by controlling entry to these areas by means of ID cards or magnetic swipe cards.
- Always logging off or turning terminals off and if possible locking them.
- Avoiding accidentally deletion of files by write-protecting disks.
- Using data encryption techniques to code data so that it makes no apparent sense.
What the law said about viruses and misuse of computers?
Misuse of computers and communications systems comes in several forms:
1. Hacking
Hacking is where an unauthorised person uses a network, Internet or modem connection to gain access past security passwords or other security to see data stored on another computer. Hackers sometimes use software hacking tools and often target, for example, particular sites on the Internet.
2. Data misuse and unauthorised transfer or copying
Copying and illegal transfer of data is very quick and easy using online computers and large storage devices such as hard disks and CDs. Personal data, company research and written work, such as novels and textbooks, can all be copied without permission.
3. Copying and distributing software, music and film
This includes copying music CDs with computer equipment, making copies of music tracks and distributing it on the Internet. This is a widespread misuse of both computers and the Internet that breaks copyright regulations.
4. Email and chat room abuses
Internet services such as Chat and Email have been the subject of many well-publicised cases of impersonation and deception where people who are online pretend to have a different identity. Chat rooms have been used to spread rumours about well known personalities. A growing area of abuse of the Internet is email spam, where millions of emails are sent to advertise both legal and illegal products and services.
5. Pornography
A lot of indecent material and pornography is available through the Internet and can be stored in electronic form. There have been several cases of material, which is classified as illegal, or which shows illegal acts, being found stored on computers followed by prosecutions for possession of the material.
6. Identity and financial abuses
This topic includes misuse of stolen or fictional credit card numbers to obtain goods or services on the Internet, and use of computers in financial frauds. These can range from complex well thought out deceptions to simple uses such as printing counterfeit money with colour printers.
7. Viruses
Viruses are programs written by people and designed to cause nuisance or damage to computers or their files. This is covered by a separate Virus section.
How to prevent computer misuse
The Computer Misuse Act
This was passed by Parliament and made three new offences:
1. Accessing computer material without permission e.g. looking at someone else's files.
2. Accessing computer material without permission with intent to commit further criminal offences e.g. hacking into the bank's computer and wanting to increase the amount in your account.
3. Altering computer data without permission e.g. writing a virus to destroy someone else's data, or actually changing the money in an account.
The Data Protection Act
This was introduced to regulate personal data. This helps to provide protection against the abuse of personal information.
Regular backups and security.
Just making something illegal or setting up regulations does not stop it happening. So responsible computer users need to take reasonable steps to keep their data safe. This includes regular backup and sufficient security with passwords.
Copyright law
This provides protection to the owners of the copyright and covers the copying of written, musical, or film works using computers. FAST is the industry body which is against software theft. You can find out more about it in the Copyright section.
There have been cases where laws such as Copyright have been used to crack down on file sharing Internet sites or individuals who store and distribute music illegally. There is a massive problem with many people around the world obtaining copyrighted material illegally.
Close down chat rooms
Some chat rooms have been closed down due to abuses, especially where children are vulnerable. Some have "moderators" who help to prevent abuses. Advice about sensible use is important; especially to never give personal contact details or arranges meetings without extreme caution.
Reduce email spamming
This may be reduced by:
- never replying to anonymous emails
- setting filters on email accounts
- reporting spammers to ISPs, who are beginning to get together to blacklist email abusers
