Computer Virus Research Paper

Question: 1

Describe a computer virus in the context of internet security. Discuss the damage that a computer virus can cause to a computer system. Also discuss the security measures that are commonly implemented to safeguard against computer viruses. (6 marks) A virus is a software program or piece of code designed to spread from one computer to another. It requires an active host or an application that is already infected and as it runs it spreads in the whole device. Virus can be implanted in a device physically or via internet, attached to an executable file and sent via P2P file sharing, emails, downloads etc. Figure 1 shows how viruses spread over a network. Figure 1: Viral Spread & Damage to Infected

Some find it ethical, while a majority presumes it as an unethical intrusion. However, majority believes in right of privacy and that extends to information people store on their devices or devices of which they are authorized users. Whereas computer hacking has made privacy nearly impossible. A hacker can remotely do whatever he wants, he can access user’s files, and he can access the device camera and see user’s movement. So in my opinion, hacking is not an ethical activity because it’s like trespassing someone’s privacy right and it is up-to individuals to respect the rights of others’ privacy.

Describe briefly, a firewall in the context of internet security. Discuss the Application Layer Firewall and the Network Layer Firewall in your report. (6 marks)

A firewall is a device or software that prevents and protects computer from viruses. It inspects all the data going in and out of the network ensuring that the traffic is legitimate & secure. A firewall grants or rejects network access to traffic flows between an un-trusted and a trusted zone. Firewalls are important in networks for many reason e.g. its ability to keep private information secure as identity theft is growing and is the good defense against

4. In the context of network security what do we mean by “tunneling”? How it works? Provide your explanation with a diagram. (9 marks)

Basically in networking, tunneling is a technology that allows secure movement of data from one network to another. It often used to conduct secure private communication via public network by ‘digging’ a tunnel through public network.

In tunneling the data packets travel securely through a tunnel through encryption and encapsulation. These data packets carry the necessary network and protocol information with them to accomplish secure transmission via public network. In this way, the data packets appear like public data, which allows them to travel through internet. Encapsulation enables the data packets to reach the intended destination without any interruption by attackers and then de-capsulation and decryption occurs which converts the encapsulated data into original one. Figure 3 shows the working of a tunnel in internet. Figure 3: Tunneling Through Public