Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
h.
If your computer has a modem that can connect it to tele
phone lines, how do you know that some piece of software
does not automatically call a tollfree number (or a local
number) periodically when no other processing is occur
ring to transmit updates on data files?
6.
The EndUser License Agreement for version 6.4 of the
Windows Media Player by Microsoft stated:
Digital Rights Management (Security). You agree
that in order to protect the integrity of content and
software protected by digital rights management
(“Secure Content”), Microsoft may provide security
related updates to the OS Components that will be
automatically downloaded onto your computer.
These securityrelated updates may disable your
ability to copy and/or play Secure Content and use
of other software on your computer. If we provide
such a security update, we will use reasonable efforts
to post notices on a web site explaining the update.
With this agreement, Microsoft is authorized to download
anything it feels is appropriate to handle any circumstance it
deems a threat, and it can disable programs you have pur
chased from other sources. Discuss the implications of such a
policy from the standpoint of data reliability and computer
security.
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Exercises
1. a.
The “Terminology from This Chapter” section identifies
several mechanisms that unscrupulous people may use in
an attempt to gain access to unauthorized data or to
cause mischief on a computer. Most other terms relate to
the protection of data or the prevention of mischief, al
though a few terms may be more general. Organize the
terms into the categories “threat,” “prevention,” and
“other.” In each case, explain why the term belongs in
the category that you chose.
b.
Provide careful definitions for each word or phrase.
