Computer Security, CyberSecurity or Information Technology Security (IT Security) is the protection of computer systems from theft or damage to their hardware, software or electronic data, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. CyberSecurity also refers to a set of techniques used to protect the integrity of networks, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access.
“While this is beyond the scope of the average daily home-user, it nonetheless provides good information about what you can do to minimize your chances of your computer becoming infected. You can benefit from it even if you don’t understand everything in it.”
—WWD Webmaster
“Threats to your computer will continue to evolve. Although you cannot eliminate every hazard, by using caution, installing and using antivirus software, and following other simple security practices, you can significantly reduce your risk and strengthen your protection against malicious code.”
Protecting Against Malicious Code Read More “Children present unique security risks when they use a computer—not only do you have to keep them safe, you have to protect the data on your computer. By taking some simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the threats. ”
Keeping Children Safe Online Read More How to report online criminal activity including incidents, phishing attempts, malware, and vulnerabilities to federal United States agencies.
Reporting Cyber Incidents, Phishing, Malware or Vulnerabilities Read More “Children present unique security risks when they use a computer—not only do you have to keep them safe, you have to protect the data on your computer. By taking some simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the threats. ”
Cyber Safety for Students Read More “Mobile apps may gather information from your mobile device for legitimate purposes, but these tools may also put your privacy at risk. Protect your data by being smart with the apps you install and reviewing the permissions each app has.”
Privacy and Mobile Device Apps Read More
“There are an overwhelming number of cyber security strategies published that tailor to all sorts of infrastructures, market categories and cyber threats. The ACSC has compiled a list of mitigation strategies that organisations can use as starting points to improve …
Essential Eight Explained Read More
For the first time, the Cambridge Analytica whistleblower tells the inside story of the data mining and psychological manipulation behind the election of Donald Trump and the Brexit referendum, connecting Facebook, WikiLeaks, Russian intelligence, and international hackers.
Mindf*ck: Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America Read More
The message shared perhaps the worst possible news Oh could have received at that exact moment: Something was shutting down every domain controller in the Seoul data centers, the servers that formed the backbone of the Olympics’ IT infrastructure.
The Untold Story of the 2018 Olympics Cyberattack, the Most Deceptive Hack in History Read More
Schneier on Security, August 28, 2019
By Bruce Schneier
“The Department of Justice wants access to encrypted consumer devices but promises not to infiltrate business products or affect critical infrastructure. Yet that’s not possible, because there is no longer any difference between those categories of devices. Consumer devices are critical infrastructure. They affect national security. And it would be foolish to weaken them, even at the request of law enforcement.”
The Myth of Consumer-Grade Security Read More
Permanent Record
By Edward Snowden
Published by Metropolitan Books, September 17, 2019
“Edward Snowden, the man who risked everything to expose the US government’s system of mass surveillance, reveals for the first time the story of his life, including how he helped to build that system and what motivated him to try to bring it down.”
Permanent Record Read More
Medium.. June 5, 2019
By Stuart Schechter
“I cringe when I hear self-proclaimed experts implore everyone to “use a password manager for all your passwords” and “turn on two-factor authentication for every site that offers it.” As most of us who perform user research in security quickly learn, advice that may protect one individual may harm another. Each person uses technology differently, has a unique set of skills, and faces different risks.”
Before You Use a Password Manager Read More
Wired, June 24, 2019
By Zeynep Tufekci
“Online fakery runs wide and deep, but you don’t need me to tell you that. New species of digital fraud and deception come to light almost every week, if not every day: Russian bots that pretend to be American humans. American bots that pretend to be human trolls. Even humans that pretend to be bots. Yep, some “intelligent assistants,” promoted as advanced conversational AIs, have turned out to be little more than digital puppets operated by poorly paid people. ”
The Internet Has Made Dupes—and Cynics—of Us All Read More
National Cyber Security Alliance – Stay Safe Online
“A few proactive steps to declutter, get organized and establish good practices will help safeguard your business against disruptive issues, which can cause chaos if your company’s data is compromised.”
Digital Spring Cleaning for Small and Medium Businesses Read More
National Cyber Security Alliance
“Under the overarching theme of ‘Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.’, the 16th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is focused on encouraging personal accountability and proactive behavior in security best practices and digital privacy. It is also focused on drawing attention to careers in cybersecurity. ”
National CyberSecurity Awareness Month – October 2019 Read More
Communications of the ACM, April 2019
Research Highlights : “Technical Perspective: Was Edgar Allan Poe Wrong After All?”
By Gilles Brassard
Research Highlights : “Fully Device Independent Quantum Key Distribution“
By Umesh Vazirani, Thomas Vidick
“Artur Ekert realized as early as 1991 that a different kind of quantum cryptography was possible by harnessing entanglement, which is arguably the most nonclassical manifestation of quantum theory. Even though Ekert’s original protocol did not offer any security above and beyond my earlier invention with Bennett, he had planted the seed for a revolution. It was realized by several researchers in the mid-2000s that entanglement-based protocols could lead to unconditional security even if they are imperfectly implemented—even if the QKD apparatus is built by the eavesdropper, some argued. For a decade, these purely theoretical ideas remained elusive and seemed to require unreasonable hardware, such as an apparatus the size of the galaxy! Vazirani and Vidick’s paper provides an unexpectedly simple and elegant solution, indeed one that is almost within reach of current technology. Once it becomes reality, codemakers will have won the definitive battle, Poe’s prophecy notwithstanding.”
Fully Device Independent Quantum Key Distribution Read More
Communications of the ACM, April 2019
By Petros Wallden, Elham Kashefi
“The ability to communicate securely and compute efficiently is more important than ever to society. The Internet and increasingly the Internet of Things, has had a revolutionary impact on our world. Over the next 5-10 years, we will see a flux of new possibilities, as quantum technologies become part of this mainstream computing and communicating landscape. Future networks will certainly consist of both classical and quantum devices and links, some of which are expected to be dishonest, with functionalities of various sophistication, ranging from simple routers to servers executing universal quantum algorithms. The realization of such a complex network of classical and quantum communication must rely on a solid novel foundation that, nevertheless, is able to foresee and handle the intricacies of real-life implementations and novel applications.”
Cyber Security in the Quantum Era Read More
Cyber Strategy: Summary, 2018
U.S. Department of Defense
“American prosperity, liberty, and security depend upon open and reliable access to information. The Internet empowers us and enriches our lives by providing ever-greater access to new knowledge, businesses, and services. Computers and network technologies underpin U.S. military warfighting superiority by enabling the Joint Force to gain the information advantage, strike at long distance, and exercise global command and control.”
DoD Cyber Strategy – 2018 Read More
“The world has changed radically since the first edition of this book was published in 2001. Spammers, virus writers, phishermen, money launderers, and spies now trade busily with each other in a lively online criminal economy and as they specialize, they get better. In this indispensable, fully updated guide, Ross Anderson reveals how to build systems that stay dependable whether faced with error or malice. Here’s straight talk on critical topics such as technical engineering basics, types of attack, specialized protection mechanisms, security psychology, policy, and more.”
Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems, 2nd Ed. Read More
Communications of the ACM, March 2019
By Peter J. Denning
“What has changed over those years is not the need for security, but the risks and costs of insecurity. It should be clear to a casual reader of the news, let alone those with access to intelligence sources, that what we are doing is not working. It is both costly and dangerous… Most of the resistance to using these practices comes from loss of convenience. Good security is not convenient. But it is absolutely necessary for the security of our assets and the reliability of the many critical systems on which we all depend.”
An Interview with William Hugh Murray – A discussion of the rapidly evolving realm of practical cyber security Read More