Quiz No. 8

Answers:

1. Define the term, database, and explain how a database interacts with data
and information.

A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form.

Data is collection of unprocessed items text, numbers, images,video and audio.
Information is a processed data,organized, meaningful and useful.

2. Describe file maintenance techniques (adding records, modifying records,deleting records) and validation techniques.
- File Maintenance  refers to the procedures that keep data current.
- Adding Records users add new records to a file when they obtain new data Disc
- Modifying Records users modify a record to correct inaccurate data or update old data
- Deleting Records When a record no longer is needed, a user deletes it from a file
- Validation Techniques compares data with a set of rules or values to find out if the data is correct  

·                     Alphabetic/Numeric check

·                     Range check

·                     Consistency check

·                     Completeness check

·                     Check digit

·                     Other checks

3. Discuss the terms character, field, record, and file

ØField is a combination of one or more characters. It. It is the smallest unit of data user accesses

 Record is a group of related fields.

File is a collection of related records

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4. Discuss the functions common to most database management systems:
data dictionary, file retrieval and maintenance, data security, and backup
and recovery.
Data dictionary contains data about each file in a database and each field within the files.

Backup - is the copy of the database.A log is a listing of activities that change the contents of the database. 

Recovery Utility - uses the logs and/or backups to restore the database.

5. Differentiate between a file processing approach and the database
approach.
File processing approach each department or area within organization has its own set of files.

Database approach- many programs and users share the data in a database. The database approach reduces data redundancy, improves data integrity, shares data, permits easier access, and reduces development time.A database, however, can be more complex than a file processing system, requiring special training and more computer memory, storage, and processing power. Data in a database also can be more vulnerable than data in file processing system.

6. Describe characteristics of relational, object-oriented, and
multidimensional databases.
    An object-oriented database (OODB) stores data in objects
•Object-oriented databases often use Object Query Language (OQL) to manipulate and retrieve data.
    A relational database stores data in tables that consist of rows and columns
        –Each rowhas a primary key
        –Each columnhas a unique name
        •A relationshipis a link
    A multidimensional database can store data in more than two dimensions of data
        –Can consolidate data much faster than a relational database

7. Explain how to access Web databases.
Web database  database you can access through web by filing in a form in a web page.
A Web database links to a form on a Web page. To access data in a Web database, you fill on the form or enter search text on a Web page. A Web database usually resides on a database server, which is a computer that store and provides access to a database.
 
8. Define the term, computer security risks, and briefly describe the types
of cybercrime perpetrators: hacker, cracker, script kiddie, corporate spy,
unethical employee, cyberextortionist, and cyberterrorist.

Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as Information Security as applied to computers and networks. 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. 

Cybercrime Perpetrators

Hacker refers to a computer programmer who is able to create usable computer programs where none previously existed. 

Cracker is a variation of hacker , with the analogy equal to a safe cracker. Some individuals use the term cracker in an attempt to differentiate from the honorable computer programmer definition of hacker.

Script kiddy is an individual who executes computer scripts and programs written by others. Their motive is to hack a computer by using someone else’s software. Examples include password decryption programs and automated access utilities.

Corporate Spy - have excellent computer and networking skills and are hired to break into a specific computer and steal its proprietary data and information.

Unethical employee - break into their employers' computer for a variety of reasons. Some simply want to exploit security weakness.

Cyberextortionist - is someone who uses e-mail as a vehicle for extortion. These perpetrator s send an organization a threatening e-mail message indicating they will expose confidential information, exploit a security flaw, or launch an attack that will compromise the organization s network - if they are not paid of a sum of money.

Cyber-terrorist - a programmer who breaks into computer systems in order to steal or change or destroy information as a form of cyber-terrorism

9. Identify database design guidelines and discuss the responsibilities of
database analysts and administrators.

10. Discuss techniques to prevent unauthorized computer access and use

Operating system and software patches and updates

There is no such thing as perfect software, often a software program may have several issues and could potentially have security vulnerabilities that can leave your computer open to attacks that compromise your computer and your data.

Software patches, updates, and drivers are made available, often for free, to consumers to help keep a software program and operating systems running properly and secure. If the program you're using does not have any method of checking for updates on its own it is up to you to verify the program is up-to-date. Often this can be done by visiting the web site of the developer who created the program. A listing of third-party companies and links to each of their pages can be found on our third-party support page.

·                     How to update a Microsoft Windows computer.

Passwords

Make sure a password has been set on computer. Default passwords such as password, root, admin or no password will allow easy access to your computer or your Internet account.

1.            Change passwords often. It is recommended at least once every few months.

2.            Create a BIOS password.

3.            When creating a password, add numbers or other characters to the password to make it more difficult to guess; for example: 1mypassword23!.

4.            Do not use sticky notes around your computer to write down passwords. Instead use a password manager.

·                     Complete information and links to information about computer passwords.

Get a hardware or software firewall

We highly recommend all computer users have a firewall solution. There are two ways a firewall can protect your computer and network.

1.            Hardware firewall - A hardware firewall is a hardware device that is connected to your network. Often many home users who have a home network use their network router as a firewall solution.

2.            Software firewall - A software firewall is a software program that you install on your computer that helps protect that computer from unauthorized incoming and outgoing data. Below is a listing of a few of the more widely used software firewall programs.

Agnitum Outpost Firewall
BlackICE PC Protection
Kerio Personal Firewall
Sygate Firewall
Tiny software Tiny Personal Firewall
Network Associates
Zone Labs Zone Alarm

Note: A software firewall is only going to protect the computer that has the firewall installed on it.

In addition to the above listed firewall software programs many of the antivirus scanners released today also include their own version of a firewall program. If you have an antivirus scanner that also has a firewall program you do not need to worry about getting one of the above programs or another third-party firewall program.

·                     How to enable or disable the Microsoft Windows firewall.

Trojans, viruses, spyware, and other malware

Software Trojans, viruses, spyware, and other malware can not only damage or destroy your computer data Internet or even log all your keystrokes to capture sensitive data such as passwords and credit card information. but is also capable of monitoring your computer to learn more about your viewing habits on the

To help protect your computer from these threats we suggest installing a virus protection program as well as a spyware protection program.

·                     What are the current available antivirus programs?

·                     My web browser has been hijacked.

Know how to handle e-mails

Today, e-mail is one of the most popular features on the Internet. Being able to identify threats sent through e-mail can help keep your computer and your personal information safe. Below are some of the most common threats you may encounter while using e-mail.

·                     Attachments - Never open or run e-mail attachments. Viruses, spyware, and other malware are commonly distributed through e-mails that have attachments. For example, an e-mail may want you to open an attachment of a funny video, when it's actually a virus.

·                     Phishing - Phishing or an e-mail phish is an e-mail that appears to be from an official company (such as your bank) indicating you need to log onto the site to check your account settings. However, the e-mails are actually sites setup to steal confidential information such as your passwords, credit card information, social security information, etc. See the phishing definition for additional information about this term as well as examples of these e-mails.

Alternative browser

Before the release of Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and Internet Explorer 7.0, Microsoft Internet Explorer was notorious for security and spyware related issues. Although it has improved since then we still highly recommend considering an alternative browser such as Mozilla Firefox.

Run system scans to check for vulnerabilities

There are several sites on the Internet that allow users to check their computers for potential threats or issues their network or computer may have that can allow users unauthorized access to their computer. Below are a listing of recommend sites to try:

Gibson Research Corporation - The Gibson Research Corporation, or GRC, is a great location to learn about network security as well as well as test your computer or network for vulnerabilities.

Hacker Wacker - Another great site with computer security related information, help, and programs to help test your computer and network.