Physical Threats

   The first and most basic threat for a computer is “Physical Attack”. This doesn’t require the hacker to have technical skills to penetrate your computer. If a note book computer is left unattended even for a few seconds in a public place, it is most likely to be stolen by thieves and it goes along with the personal data. This is similar to leaving the car keys in the car in a public parking area. It is also possible to steal desktop computers but slightly difficult compared to the notebook computers.

  When these kind of thefts happen, the most embarrassing moment is the loss of the personal data as well as all the data on the computer. And with the smart and crafty hackers lurking in each and every corner, it is equally possible that the data will be hacked, no matter how securely it is protected whether with complex passwords or highly encryption. It might take a while for these kind of attacks to happen but given enough time, a hacker can break into any computer, no matter how well it is protected.

  Apart from the stealing of computers there is another well known attack and it is more devastating because it involves stealing of data on a day to day basis. For example, if a computer is left on but not locked during a break, this brief absence is more than enough for a thief to enter the room, sit on the computer and copy data. Worse, he can alter data on existing documents which can guarantee enough damage to the reputation of the worker or the organization in which he is working. And to add more to the agony of the worker, a determined and shrewd hacker can install surveillance software to capture data in the background and sent it to a remote location without the knowledge of the employee working on the computer.

   So how can we avert these kind of attacks as well as take precautions to protect the valuable data that resides on the computer.

   CheckList
  • Never keep computers containing sensitive information in the open or in cubicles. These are easy prey to hackers or thieves. Always secure them behind locked doors. Restrict the access to these rooms and also keep a check on the people entering the locked rooms. This will greatly secure the computers to a greater extend rather than leaving them exposed in cubicles which are never monitored.
  • If the computer has to be kept in areas where there is a lot of movement of people for example a public kiosk, secure the computer by locking it to the desk or adjust it so that the computer cannot be taken without attracting too much attention of the people walking by. This extra level of protection will prevent opportunities to commit crimes.
  • Portable computers like lap tops and hand held devices have to be protected by taking extra precautions. The best way is not to expose them to public places too much but avoid exposure to others so that the data is more secure since the presence of the lap top or hand held device is never made known to others. There are several security devices such as radio-controlled alarms which will sound an alert if the notebook carrying case is seperated from the owner.
  • All computers are now equipped with a facility to lock the computer when away from it. This will go a great way to prevent unauthorized access to the comptuer. Always make it a compulsory feature to log out of the computer when away for longer periods of time. There are people known as casual snoopers and they can learn a lot just by looking at the names of files and folders, without even touching your keyboard.
  • There is another type of snooper called "shoulder surfers". They are on the look out for passwords and attempt to view them when you work on the keyboard. Since passwords have to be typed slowly these people are on the alert and try to steal passwords by watching your fingers as you log on. Always make it a point not to type passwords in front of many people. If you feel that you are not alone, do not attempt to cover your work. This will definitely attract attention. Remember to work with sensitive data when you are alone or when you are in a remote place that is not populated with many people.
  • Most computers come with password-protected screen savers. Use them to the full potential and always configure your screen savers to fire after a short period of inactivity. Do not forget to configure these screen savers to prompt for the password on resuming work.
  • NTFS format is the most secure file system and is much better than FAT32. This file system prevents people from booting the computer with floppy disks and also prevents people from accessing the data unless they login to the computer. Also restrict the kind of permission to these data.
  • If you are worried about securing top secretive data then go for the option of using encrypting file system. Adding additional protective hardware such as a smart card or a biometric identification system.

    •    At first it might sound that some of these steps are harsh and extreme and might need additional expenditure. But they are not harsh and the most basic level of protecting your assets. In fact these steps are the same as that what is done to protect a house when the owner and his family are away.

     
     
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