COMPUTER SECURITY RISKS

Definition of computer security risk:

Any event or action that could cause a loss of or damage to computer hardware, software, data, information or processing capability.

Explanation of computer security risk:

• Other intruders indicate some evidence of their presence either by leaving a message or by deliberately altering or damaging data.
• Any illegal act involving a computer generally is referred to as a computer crime.
• Cybercrime refers to online or Internet-based illegal acts.
• Software used by cybercriminals sometimes is called crimeware.

Type of malicious code	Discription	Example
Computer virus	A potentially damaging computer program that effects, or infects, a computer negatively by altering the way the computer works without the user's knowlegde or permission.	Melissa, Tequila, Cascade, Invader
Worms	Malicious-logic program that copies itself repeatedly.	Jerusalem, Sobig, Nimda, Morris Worm
Trojan Horse	A program that hides within or looks like a legitimate program. It does not replicates itself to other computers. It can spread throughout and may damage files and system software including the operating system.	Netbus, Back Orifice, Subseven, Beast