| BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : FEBRUARY 21, 2000 ISSUE | ||||||||
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| COVER STORY
Storming the Fortress THE WEAPONS: DENIAL OF SERVICE This is becoming a common networking prank. By hammering a Web site's equipment with too many requests for information, an attacker can effectively clog the system, slowing performance or even crashing the site. This method of overloading computers is sometimes used to cover up an attack. SCANS Widespread probes of the Internet to determine types of computers, services, and connections. That way the bad guys can take advantage of weaknesses in a particular make of computer or software program. SNIFFER Programs that covertly search individual packets of data as they pass through the Internet, capturing passwords or the entire contents. SPOOFING Faking an e-mail address or Web page to trick users into passing along critical information like passwords or credit-card numbers. TROJAN HORSE A program that, unknown to the user, contains instructions that exploit a known vulnerability in some software. BACK DOORS In case the original entry point has been detected, having a few hidden ways back makes reentry easy--and difficult to detect. MALICIOUS APPLETS Tiny programs, sometimes written in the popular Java computer language, that misuse your computer's resources, modify files on the hard disk, send fake e-mail, or steal passwords. WAR DIALING Programs that automatically dial thousands of telephone numbers in search of a way in through a modem connection. LOGIC BOMBS An instruction in a computer program that triggers a malicious act. BUFFER OVERFLOW A technique for crashing or gaining control of a computer by sending too much data to the buffer in a computer's memory. PASSWORD CRACKERS Software that can guess passwords. SOCIAL ENGINEERING A tactic used to gain access to computer systems by talking unsuspecting company employees out of valuable information such as passwords. DUMPSTER DIVING Sifting through a company's garbage to find information to help break into their computers. Sometimes the information is used to make a stab at social engineering more credible. THE PLAYERS: WHITE-HAT HACKERS They're the good guys who get turned on by the intellectual challenge of tearing apart computer systems to improve computer security. BLACK-HAT HACKERS Joyriders on the Net. They get a kick out of crashing systems, stealing passwords, and generally wreaking as much havoc as possible. CRACKERS Hackers for hire who break into computer systems to steal valuable information for their own financial gain. SCRIPT BUNNIES Wannabe hackers with little technical savvy who download programs--scripts--that automate the job of breaking into computers. INSIDERS Employees, disgruntled or otherwise, working solo or in concert with outsiders to compromise corporate systems. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BACK TO TOP |
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 RELATED ITEMS Cyber Crime COVER IMAGE: Cyber Crime CHART: Computer Security Breaches Are on the Rise...And the Most Popular Route In Is the Net...Ad TABLE: How This Happened to Yahoo!, eBay, and E*Trade TABLE: Storming the Fortress ONLINE ORIGINAL: Take an Information-Systems Security Test ONLINE ORIGINAL: Why Internet Security Stocks Could Be a Safe Play INTERACT E-Mail to Business Week Online | |||
