“Securing a computer system has traditionally been a battle of wits: the penetrator tries to find the holes, and the designer tries to close them” (Gosser). The topic of information security proves to always be a concern of not only many of today’s governmental, industrial, and departmental organizations, but billions of personal users all across the globe. When a person, company, or agency’s information database is breached and tampered with, results may end up in hardware and software malfunctions; deletion of files; or even retrieval of personal information (account numbers, passwords, credit card numbers, etc.). There are three major components of maintaining physical and cyber information security: 1) backing up one’s files and software via system restore points as well as external hard drives, CD ROM’s, DVD ROM’s, and flash drives; 2) keeping one’s software/drivers both updated and protected with antivirus programs, spyware protection software, and malware protection software; 3) physically monitoring the content that makes its way onto one’s computer via uploads, downloads, and physically entering the information onto a form or website. In order to prevent cyber criminals from taking advantage of your personal information, users must educate themselves on the proper methods of physical and cyber information security. Computers help make work, recreation, and personal interests more accessible and user friendly, as well as being able to fulfill life’s responsibilities that come with maturing (bill paying, banking, studying, etc.). However, with more accessibility comes more threats and vulnerabilities.
