© 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Technology In Action
Chapter 7
Networking and Security:
Connecting Computers and Keeping
Them Safe from Hackers and Viruses
2

Topics
• Networking fundamentals
• Network architecture
• Network components
• Peer-to-peer networks
• Computer threats
• Computer safeguards
• Computer viruses
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Networking Fundamentals
• Computer network:
– Two or more computers connected together
• Each is a Node
• Benefits of a network:
– Sharing resources
– Transferring files
4

Network Architecture
• Network designs:
– Individual PC controlled:
• Peer-to-peer (P2P)
– Centrally controlled:
• Client/server
Peer-to-peer
Client/ server
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Peer-to-Peer Networks
• Nodes communicate with each other:
– Peers
• Share peripheral devices:
– Printers
– Scanners
• Home and small office networks
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Client/Server Networks
• Client computers:
– Users
• Server computers:
– Provide resources to clients
– Central network control
• Internet
– A large, multi-server, multi-client network.
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LANs and WANs
• Local area network (LAN):
– Nodes are within a small geographic region:
• Homes
• Schools
• Small businesses
• Wide area network (WAN):
– LANs connected over long distances:
• A few miles to thousands of miles
• Use telecommunications lines
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Network Components
• Transmission media
• Network adapters
• Navigation devices
• Network software
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Transmission Media
• Provides communications channel between nodes
• Forms of media:
– Telephone wire:
• Twisted pair
– Coaxial cable
– Fiber-optic cable
– Radio waves:
• Wireless
• Bandwidth:
– Data transfer rate
– Throughput
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Network Adapters
• Devices connected to or installed in nodes:
– Network interface cards (NIC)
– External network adapter
• Enable communication between nodes
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Network Navigation Devices
• Devices that help make data flow possible
• Routers:
– Route data between networks
• Switches:
– Receive data and retransmit it to nodes on the network
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Networking Software
• Peer-to-peer Software:
• Built into operating systems that support networking
– Windows
– Mac OS
• Client/server Software
• Network operating system (NOS) software
– Windows XP Professional
– Windows Server 2003
– Novell Netware
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Types of Peer-to-Peer Networks
• Power line
• Phone line
• Ethernet
• Wireless
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Ethernet Networks
• Ethernet network adapters are used to connect nodes
– NIC card
– PC Card
– USB adapter
• Computers are connected to each other using unshielded twisted pair cable
RJ-45
Phoneline
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Ethernet Switches
• Keep track of data packets
• Amplify and retransmit signals
• Keep the network running efficiently
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Ethernet Routers
• Transfer packets from one network to another
• Home Internet routers transfer data from the
Internet to the home network.
Router
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Wireless Networks
• Use radio waves to connect nodes
• Basically an Ethernet network that uses radio waves instead of wires
• Each node requires a wireless network adapter:
– Transceiver
• 802.11a/b/g/n for wireless and 802.3 for wired.
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Power Line Networks
• Computers are connected to a house’s electrical wiring to create a network
• Power line network adapter is used to connect nodes to electrical outlets
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Phone Line Networks
• Computers are connected to a house’s telephone wiring to create a network
• Home phone line network adapter is used to connect nodes to phone jacks
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Choosing a Peer-to-Peer Network
• Things to consider:
– Existing wiring
– Wireless or wired
– Speed of the network
– Cost of the network
Maximum data
Transfer rate
(bandwidth)
Relative installation and equipment costs for networking two computers
Comparing the Major Types of Home Networks
Wired
Ethernet
100 Mbps to
1,000 Mbps to (1 gigabit)
$
Wireless
802.11g
54 Mbps
$
Wireless
Enhanced G
108 Mbps
$$
Wireless
802.11n
100 to 630 bps
$$$
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Configuring Software for a Home
Network
• Windows operating system:
– Windows XP:
• Network setup wizard
– Wired or wireless
– Windows ME:
• Network setup wizard
– Windows 98:
• Configure manually
– Help has a clear instructions
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Computer Threats
• Cyber-crimes are criminal acts conducted through the use of computers by Cyber-criminals.
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Hackers
• Anyone who unlawfully accesses a computer system
• Types of hackers:
– White-hat
– Black-hat
– Script kiddies
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What Hackers Do
• Steal information from computers:
– Credit card numbers
– Bank account numbers
• Internet packet sniffing
• Commit identity theft
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Denial of Service Attacks
• Backdoor programs
– Trojan horse
– Zombies
• Denial of service attacks
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How Hackers Gain Access
• Direct access:
– Hacking software
• Indirect access:
– Internet connection
– Logical ports
• http: 80
• SMTP: 25
• ftp: 21
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Computer Safeguards
Firewalls
• Software programs or hardware designed to close logical ports to invaders
– A firewall is built into
Windows XP
– More robust firewalls are available from other vendors.
– Firewalls are critical if you have an always-on broadband connection.
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Protecting a Wireless Network
• Wireless network range doesn’t stop at the property line.
• Default device and network ID settings allow intruders to enter the network.
• Internet bandwidth can be stolen
• Computers can be vulnerable to hacker intrusion and takeover.
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Computer Threat - Viruses
• A program that attaches itself to another program and spreads itself to other computers
• Viruses are hidden within the code of a host program
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How Does a Computer
Catch a Virus
• Viruses copy themselves
• Infect a file on your computer
• Viruses spread by sharing disks
• E-mail attachments are the most likely source of a virus
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What Viruses Do
• Replicate themselves:
– Slow down networks
• Secondary objectives:
– Annoying messages
– Delete files on the hard drive
– Change computer settings
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Types of Viruses
• Boot-sector viruses:
– Replicate themselves in the boot sector of the hard drive
• Logic bombs:
– Activate when certain conditions are met
• Worms:
– Travel between systems through networks
– Independently replicates
– Slightly different with viruses (dependable on host).
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Types of Viruses
• Script viruses:
– Hidden on Web pages
– Mini programs
• Macro viruses:
– Attached to documents
– Series of commands
• Trojan horses:
– Backdoor programs
– Control remote computers
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Virus Classifications
• Polymorphic viruses:
– Periodically rewrite themselves to avoid detection
• Multipartite viruses:
– Infect multiple file types
• Stealth viruses:
– Erase their code from the hard drive and reside in the active memory
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Antivirus Software
• Programs designed to detect viruses:
– Scan files looking for virus signatures (unique code)
– Provides options for deleting or fixing infected files
• Detect known viruses
• Antivirus programs need to be updated frequently
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What is a network and what are the advantages of setting one up?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What is the difference between a client/server network and a peer-to-peer network?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What are the main components of every network?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What are the most common home networks?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What are power line networks?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What are phone line networks?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What are Ethernet networks?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What are wireless networks?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• How can hackers attack a network and what harm can they cause?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• How are home wireless networks vulnerable?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What is a firewall and how does it keep my computer safe from hackers?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• From which types of viruses do I need to protect my computer?
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Chapter 7 Summary Questions
• What can I do to protect my computer from viruses?
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