Computer Science Test 3 Nddc Scholarship

Antivirus software relies on a database of 'signatures'—unique identifiers for known malicious code. When the software scans a file and finds a matching signature, it flags the file as dangerous and prevents it from running. This method is highly effective for stopping established threats that have already been identified by security researchers.

Data theft refers specifically to the unauthorized act of copying or removing confidential information. In the digital age, this often involves hackers breaking into servers to steal trade secrets, customer databases, or personal identity details. While the original data may still exist, the theft occurs because the proprietary information is now in unauthorized hands.

An IP (Internet Protocol) address acts as a unique identifier for a device on a network, much like a physical mailing address identifies a house. It ensures that when data is sent across the global internet, it is routed accurately to the specific computer or device that requested it, rather than getting lost in the digital traffic.

Netcrime, also commonly known as cybercrime, refers to any illegal activity carried out using a computer or the internet. This includes a wide range of offenses such as financial fraud, identity theft, hacking, and cyberstalking. It highlights the use of technology as a primary tool for conducting modern criminal operations on a global scale.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a vulnerability that occurs when a web application takes untrusted data (like a user comment) and displays it on a page without proper sanitization. Attackers can inject malicious scripts into the page, which then execute in the browsers of other users, potentially leading to session hijacking or the theft of sensitive login cookies.

Email spoofing is a deception technique where the 'From' address is manipulated to make an email look like it came from a trusted sender, such as a bank or a known contact. This is a common tactic used in phishing campaigns to gain the recipient's trust so they will click malicious links or provide private information.

The Discretionary Access Control List (DACL) is a security mechanism used by operating systems to manage permissions for objects like files and folders. It is 'discretionary' because the owner of the resource has the power to decide which individuals or groups are granted or denied access, effectively serving as the gatekeeper for sensitive information.

A dictionary attack is a form of brute-force hacking that relies on the common human tendency to choose real, easy-to-remember words for passwords. By using an automated script to cycle through thousands of standard words and common variations, an attacker can quickly gain access to accounts that aren't protected by complex, non-dictionary strings.

Computer security, or cybersecurity, is the comprehensive practice of protecting electronic systems, networks, and data from digital attacks or unauthorized access. It involves multiple layers of defense, including physical barriers, software solutions like antivirus, and network-level protections like firewalls to ensure that information remains confidential, accurate, and available.

The Relative Identifier (RID) is a unique part of a user's Security Identifier (SID) that identifies a specific account within a domain or local system. In Windows, the built-in 'Administrator' account is always assigned the RID of 500, while the first created user account typically begins at 1000. Knowing this is vital for forensic analysis and system auditing.