Computer security software: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Computer program for information security}}

{{Computer security}}

'''Computer security software''' or '''cybersecurity software''' is any [[computer program]] designed to influence [[information security]]. This is often taken in the context of defending computer systems or data, yet can incorporate programs designed specifically for subverting computer systems due to their significant overlap, and the adage that the best defense is a good offense.

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The subversion of [[computer]]s or their unauthorized use is referred to using the terms ''[[cyberwarfare]]'', ''[[cybercrime]]'', or ''[[Security hacker|security hacking]]'' (later shortened to ''hacking'' for further references in this article due to issues with ''[[hacker]]'', ''[[hacker culture]]'' and differences in [[White hat (computer security)|white]]/[[Grey hat|grey]]/[[Black hat (computer security)|black]] 'hat' color identification).

The computer security software products industry was launched in the second half of the 1970s when computer firms and new IT startups chose alternative paths to offer commercial access control systems to organizational mainframe computer users. These developments were led by [[IBM]]'s [[Resource Access Control Facility]] and SKK's Access Control Facility 2.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=The Origin and Early History of the Computer Security Software Products Industry |journal=IEEE Annals of the History of Computing|date=2015 |doi=10.1109/MAHC.2015.21 |last1=Yost |first1=Jeffrey R. |volume=37 |issue=2 |pages=46–58 }}</ref>

==Types==

Below, various software implementations of Cybersecurity patterns and groups outlining ways a host system attempts to secure itself and its assets from malicious interactions, this includes tools to deter both [[Passive attack|passive]] and active [[threat (computer)|security threats]]. Although both security and usability are desired, today it is widely considered in computer security software that with higher security comes decreased usability, and with higher usability comes decreased security.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Barragán|first=Claudio Casado|title=Information Technology - New Generations|publisher=Springer International Publishing|year=2017|isbn=9783319549774|pages=395–398}}</ref>

Below follow a series of software patterns and groups from the perspective of a host system interacting with users and attempting to secure itself or its assets against their interactions.

===Prevent access===

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* [[Steganography]] and [[Steganography tools]]

A critical tool used in developing software that prevents malicious access is ''Threat Modeling''.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bodeau|first1=Deborah J.|last2=McCollum|first2=Catherine D.|last3=Fox|first3=David B.|date=2018-04-07|title=Cyber Threat Modeling: Survey, Assessment, and Representative Framework|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1108051|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929040958/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1108051|url-status=live|archive-date=September 29, 2021|language=en}}</ref> Threat modeling is the process of creating and applying mock situations where an attacker could be trying to maliciously access data in [[cyberspace]]. By doing this, various profiles of potential attackers are created, including their intentions, and a catalog of potential vulnerabilities are created for the respective organization to fix before a real threat arises.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Threat Modeling: 12 Available Methods|url=https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/blog/threat-modeling-12-available-methods/|access-date=2021-10-04|website=SEI Blog|date=2 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Threat modeling covers a wide aspect of cyberspace, including devices, applications, systems, networks, or enterprises. Cyber threat modeling can inform organizations with their efforts pertaining to cybersecurity in the following ways:<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jones|first=Andy|title=Risk management for computer security : Protecting your network and information assets|date=2005|publisher=Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann|others=Debi Ashenden|isbn=978-0-08-049155-4|___location=Amsterdam, Netherlands|oclc=159937634}}</ref>

* Risk Management

One other way secure data is to use Threat Modeling tools. [https://foreseeti.com/threat-modeling/ Threat modeling] tools can be used to pinpoint potential threats. Based on the results, possible risks, one could take countermeasures to protect data and keep the assets secure.

* Profiling of current cybersecurity applications

* Considerations for future security implementations

===Regulate access===

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===Monitor access===

The purpose of these types of software systems is to monitor access to computers systems and data while reporting or logging the behavior. Often this is composed of large quantities of low priority data records / logs, coupled with high priority notices for unusual or suspicious behavior.

* [[Diagnostic program]]

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====Surveillance monitor====

These programs use algorithms either stolen from, or provided by, the police and military internet observation organizations to provide the equivalent of a police [[Radio scanner]]. Most of these systems are born out of [[mass surveillance]] concepts for internet traffic, cell phone communication, and physical systems like [[CCTV]]. In a global perspective they are related to the fields of [[SIGINT]] and [[ELINT]] and approach [[Geospatial intelligence|GEOINT]] in the global information monitoring perspective. Several instant messaging programs such as [[ICQ]] (founded by "former" members of [[Unit 8200]]), or [[WeChat]] and [[QQ]] (rumored [[3PLA]]/[[4PLA]] connections<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Patrick Howell |title=Under tough surveillance, China's cybercriminals find creative ways to chat |url=https://www.cyberscoop.com/chinese-cybercriminals-speak-in-code-to-hide-from-government-surveillance/ |access-date=22 October 2020 |agency=cyberscoop |publisher=SNG |date=3 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dasgupta |first1=Binayak |title=Mass surveillance risk real with Chinese apps: Experts |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mass-surveillance-threat-real-with-chinese-apps-says-cybersecurity-experts/story-HphmVO6k2D8kiRMqoD4NgI.html |access-date=22 October 2020 |publisher=Hindustan Times, New Delhi |date=1 July 2020}}</ref>) may represent extensions of these observation apparati.

===Block or remove malware===

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* [[Data security]]

* [[Emergency management software]]

* [[Cloud Workload Protection Platforms]]

* [[Computer Antivirus Software]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{Computer security}}

[[Category:Computer security software| ]]