All questions of Computer Security & Virus for UPSC CSE Exam

Preventing Unauthorized Access:
Firewalls are an essential component of computer security as they serve the primary purpose of preventing unauthorized access to a network or system. Firewalls act as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet, by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic.

How Firewalls Work:
Firewalls work by examining data packets as they pass through the network and applying a set of predefined rules to determine whether the packets should be allowed to pass through or not. By enforcing access control policies, firewalls help to block malicious traffic, such as hackers or malware, from infiltrating the network.

Types of Firewalls:
There are several types of firewalls, including network firewalls, which are placed at the perimeter of a network, and host-based firewalls, which are installed on individual computers or devices. Additionally, there are hardware and software firewalls, each with their own set of features and benefits.

Importance of Firewalls:
Firewalls play a crucial role in maintaining the security and integrity of a network by reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches. By implementing a firewall, organizations can establish a secure perimeter around their network and control the flow of traffic to protect sensitive data and resources.
In conclusion, the primary purpose of a firewall in computer security is to prevent unauthorized access to a network or system by monitoring and controlling network traffic. Firewalls are an essential tool in the cybersecurity arsenal of organizations, helping to safeguard against external threats and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

A Trojan is a program that appears to be harmless but is designed to give hackers unrestricted access to a computer, making it vulnerable to data theft and other malicious activities.

Protecting against viruses and malware includes using strong and unique passwords, as well as keeping software and antivirus programs up to date to reduce vulnerabilities. Opening unknown email attachments and downloading software from untrusted sources should be avoided to enhance security.

Primary Goal of Phishing Attacks: To Acquire Sensitive Information

Phishing attacks are a type of cyber attack in which attackers impersonate a trustworthy entity or organization to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. The primary goal of phishing attacks is to acquire this sensitive information for malicious purposes.

Phishing attacks are typically carried out through various methods such as emails, text messages, or instant messaging platforms. The attackers use social engineering techniques to manipulate the victims into believing that they are interacting with a legitimate entity. They often create a sense of urgency or fear to prompt the victims to take immediate action, such as clicking on a malicious link or providing their personal information.

Once the attackers successfully deceive the victims into divulging their sensitive information, they can exploit it in several ways:

1. Identity Theft: The acquired information can be used to steal the victim's identity. Attackers can use the stolen personal information to open fraudulent accounts, apply for loans or credit cards, or make unauthorized transactions.

2. Financial Fraud: Phishing attacks often target financial information such as credit card numbers or bank account details. Attackers can use this information to make unauthorized purchases or transfer funds from the victim's accounts.

3. Credential Theft: Phishing attacks frequently aim to obtain login credentials for various online platforms. With these credentials, attackers can gain unauthorized access to the victim's accounts, including email, social media, or even online banking.

4. Malware Distribution: Phishing attacks may also involve the distribution of malicious software, commonly known as malware. By tricking victims into clicking on a malicious link or downloading an infected file, attackers can gain control over the victim's device, enabling them to steal sensitive information or carry out further cyber attacks.

5. Business Email Compromise: Phishing attacks targeting organizations often aim to compromise business emails to facilitate financial fraud or gain access to sensitive corporate information. Attackers may impersonate senior executives or trusted partners to deceive employees into providing confidential data or making fraudulent transactions.

It is crucial to remain vigilant and cautious while interacting with online communication channels. Users should verify the legitimacy of any request for sensitive information before responding and report any suspicious emails or messages to the appropriate authorities or IT departments.

Primary Purpose of a Macro Virus:
Macro viruses are malicious programs that are written in the macro language of an application, such as Microsoft Word or Excel. The primary purpose of a macro virus is to corrupt data files on a computer system.

Corruption of Data Files:
- One of the key functions of a macro virus is to infect files and insert malicious code that can cause data corruption.
- This can lead to loss of important information, disruption of operations, and even system crashes.

Spread Through Email Attachments:
- While macro viruses can also spread through email attachments, their main goal is to corrupt data files rather than simply replicate themselves.

Encrypt the Hard Disk:
- Unlike ransomware, which encrypts the hard disk to demand a ransom, macro viruses typically do not focus on encrypting the hard disk as their primary purpose.

Steal Personal Information:
- While some viruses are designed to steal personal information for identity theft or financial gain, macro viruses typically do not have this as their primary objective.
In conclusion, the primary purpose of a macro virus is to corrupt data files on a computer system. It is essential for users to be vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their systems from such malicious threats.

A denial-of-service attack is aimed at disrupting the availability of a computer or network resource, often by overwhelming it with excessive traffic or requests.

Worms are known for their ability to spread rapidly by utilizing email address books, making them a more dangerous threat compared to viruses.

Boot sector viruses infect the boot record of a hard disk, causing issues during the computer's startup and potentially compromising its operation.

Spoofing attacks involve falsifying data to appear as someone or something else, often to gain unauthorized access or deceive users.

Privacy is the aspect of security that focuses on keeping information private and confidential, preventing unauthorized access.