What is security?

[Stocker360]

The question is the topic...what is security and what is it all about anyway?

[hazelnut]

Stocker if you are going to ask questions about computer security you are going to have to be more specific.

 

Otherwise just look here for the meaning

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_security

[YoKenny]

What I think it is:

 

se⋅cu⋅ri⋅ty   /sɪˈkyʊərɪti/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [si-kyoor-i-tee] Show IPA noun, plural -ties, adjective

?noun

1. freedom from danger, risk, etc.; safety.

2. freedom from care, anxiety, or doubt; well-founded confidence.

3. something that secures or makes safe; protection; defense.

4. freedom from financial cares or from want: The insurance policy gave the family security.

5. precautions taken to guard against crime, attack, sabotage, espionage, etc.: The senator claimed security was lax and potential enemies know our plans.

6. a department or organization responsible for protection or safety: He called security when he spotted the intruder.

7. protection or precautions taken against escape; custody: The dangerous criminal was placed under maximum security.

8. an assurance; guarantee.

9. Law. a. something given or deposited as surety for the fulfillment of a promise or an obligation, the payment of a debt, etc.

b. one who becomes surety for another.

 

10. an evidence of debt or of property, as a bond or a certificate of stock.

11. Usually, securities. stocks and bonds.

12. Archaic. overconfidence; cockiness.

 

?adjective

13. of, pertaining to, or serving as security: The company has instituted stricter security measures.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Origin:

1400?50; late ME securytye, securite(e) < L sēcūritās. See secure, -ity

 

Synonyms:

2. assurance, certainty, positiveness. 3. safeguard, safety.

 

Google is your friend:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security

http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.mspx

http://books.google.ca/books?q=security&am...bottom-3results

 

I believe in Layered Security which is having multiple applications that protect different aspects of a system such as keeping Windows up to date and a firewall, HOSTS file and security applications.

 

I have Windows set to Automatically update but others prefer to wait 3-5 days to update so then setting Windows to notify about available updates is the minimum security for Windows.

 

The Windows firewall is quite adequate if accompanied with a hardware firewall.

My ISP supplied modem has a built in firewall so I do not use a software firewall.

See:

http://forum.piriform.com/index.php?showtopic=17629

 

The HOSTS files I use I use are hpHosts and MVPS:

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

http://www.hosts-file.net/?s=Download

 

The security applications I use :

avast! anti virus, Windows Defender updated daily from its portal and WinPatrol:

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal <== current update v1.53.292.0

http://www.winpatrol.com <== current version V15.9.2008.5

http://forum.piriform.com/index.php?showtopic=17628

[Icedrake]

Security is also about using common sense too, with everything everyone else has said. If you don't download illegal stuff, like keygens, don't go around randomly searching for stuff, and you use your brain (and some antivirus and antispyware software) you should be fine.