Computer Memory Hacking - Assignment Example

Computer Memory HackingHacking has become so common in today’s world that almost every person who uses computer and internet can be a victim of hackers. According to Ciampa (2009), a hacker is a person who uses advanced programming skills and techniques to break into any specific computer system (p. 16). Hackers can gain control of computer memory or RAM to commit theft of information or to steal private information. There are many important files that a person stores in the computer memory.

Hackers gain control of the system’s memory to access those files and manipulate them according to their needs. There exist some common tools that hackers normally use to intrude into the memory of computer systems. One of those common tools or techniques is inception. Using this technique, hackers present a serial bus protocol-2 using firewire interface to the machine of the targeted person. The operating system of the targeted computer connects the bus to the firewire port taking it as a SBP-2 device.

The targeted device lowers its protection level because of the use of Direct Memory Access by the hacker. This helps the hackers to gain read/write access to the RAM of the targeted computer system. Another common tool used by hackers is Memory Hacking Software. Hackers can use this software to gain access to the memory of the computer systems. There are such software programs available on the internet that hackers can download to intrude into the computer systems. There is a huge significance of hacking in organizations and modern society.

Hacking sometimes proves to be very disastrous because it provides access of files to the strangers who can use the information for illegal purposes. Therefore, organizations and individuals need to ensure the highest level of protection to their computer systems. Some of the easiest and most effective security measures include setting difficult passwords, regularly changing the login passwords, downloading a personal firewall, using cryptographic techniques, using authorization technique, setting encryption standards, and installing up to date antivirus software.

Three best practices that one should use to protect their computer(s) from being hacked include installation of antivirus applications, use of firewalls, and use of Wifi Protected Access (WPA) as access control system. Let us put some light on all of these three practices.Antivirus ApplicationsAntivirus applications are the most commonly used mechanisms for ensuring computer safety. “A virus is nothing but a malicious computer program written to muck up the workings of your computer by corrupting your hard disc and data files” (Ryan, 2011, p. 1). Antivirus applications scan the systems for malware and viruses, thus, making them safe and secure.

Firewalls Firewalls are able to judge all sorts of unauthorized access and protect the system from unauthorized attempts. “Firewall will prevent unauthorized access to your computer from any external source, and the settings can be varied from low security to high” (Ryan, 2011, p. 1). Firewalls not only prevent unauthorized attempts of hacking but also generate a log file that includes details of all connections that attempts to access the system.Wifi Protected AccessWPA and WPA2 are effective techniques for stopping unauthorized attempts.

WPA continuously keeps on changing the key as the result of which data becomes more secure. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) was also a good technique earlier but it used to generate a single key that hackers and network attackers can easily crack. WPA2 uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for encryption due to which it becomes secure than RC4-based WEP.ReferencesCiampa, M. (2009). Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.Ryan, J. (2011). Best Internet Security.

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