Computer Security

The protection of all hardware and software components used in computer system is called computer security. A phenomenal amount of information now resides on computers. Individual computers as well as computers that communicate with each other in geographically-restricted local networks as well as globally, via the internet, contain billions of pages of text, graphics, and other sources of information. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to remain accessible and productive to its intended users.

Threats

The entire point of computer security is to eliminate or protect against threats. A threat is any thing that can cause harm. In the context of computer security, a threat can be a burglar, a virus, cyber crime, human error, war and terrorist activity, hardware failure or natural disasters.

Hardware security

The protection of all hardware components used in computer system is called hardware security. Hardware security protects the machine and peripheral hardware from theft, electric hazard and vandalism of the equipment.

Types of hardware security

• Regular maintenance
• Insurance
• Dust and Smoke free environment
• Air condition
• Power Protection device (UPS, Volt Guard and Spike Guard)

1. Regular maintenance:

Regular maintenance is necessary for proper functioning of the computer. We should clean our computer and its peripherals by using dust cleaner. We should scan hard disk using latest and updated antivirus software to make the system virus free.

2. Insurance:

The term 'insurance' is not new for us. Generally, people ensure their health, life, company, building, vehicles, etc. But nowadays people ensure their computer also. If the computer is damaged or theft, we can claim the insurance amount and get the system replaced with a new one. So, it is also a computer security measure.

3. Dust and Smoke Free environment:

Dust is one of the major factors which causes infection to our computer system. Dust affects external as well as internal parts of computer system. So, we should keep our computer at a dust and smoke free place. We should use dust cleaner or cover (cloth or plastic) to prevent our computer from dust. Smoke can also damage many parts of our computer system. So, we should keep our computer free from smoke.

4. Air condition:

We should maintain suitable temperature, moisture and circulation of air in the computer room. Low or high temperature in the computer system may cause unexpected crashes during the operation of computers. Heat can break down contracts or junctions the chip or other devices. So, there should be proper air condition to maintain suitable temperature in the computer system. Similarly, there should be enough light in the computer system.

5. Power Protection Device

A computer requires a steady voltage of 110 V or 220 V. The fluctuations (rise or fall) in electric voltage or frequent power failure can damage computer hardware. The device that protects the computer system from the fluctuation of electric voltage or frequent power failure is known as power protection device.

Types of Power Protection Device

1. UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) : A UPS is a power protection device which stores electricity and provides backup power automatically to the computer when required so that huge amount of data is prevented from being lost. 
2. Volt Guard : A Volt Guard is an electrical regulator designed automatically to maintain a constant voltage level.
3. Spike Guard :It is also a power protection device which is used to prevent computer from sudden high voltage (spikes), because in rainy season, it can control such voltage.