Brittany's Cyber Corner

Throughout this course, I’ve learned how deeply connected network security and privacy are to the fundamentals of information technology. As someone working in fraud prevention and aiming to become a cybersecurity analyst, these two areas are not just topics of interest. They are at the heart of my career path. Understanding how computers operate is essential in cybersecurity. In both my coursework and real-world job experience, I’ve seen how systems process and transmit data and how cyberattacks can exploit those processes. The textbook introduced the IPOS model (input, processing, output, and storage), which helped me understand how each stage is a potential entry point for threats. Tools like Scratch also helped me understand basic program execution by showing how logic flows in real time using motion, control, and event blocks. Hardware components such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices are critical in securing information systems. Attackers often target these components using...

Cybersecurity is no longer just a concern for large organizations; it has also become essential for individuals. With so much of our personal and financial information stored online, information and system security play a vital role in safeguarding people and businesses from increasing cyber threats. Two of the most common and dangerous threats today are malware (particularly ransomware) and phishing attacks. These attacks can result in significant harm, including data breaches, financial loss, and identity theft. Malware is malicious software designed to harm, exploit, or turn off devices, systems, or networks. A specific and highly disruptive form of malware is ransomware, which encrypts a user's data and demands payment in exchange for access. These attacks often begin when a user unknowingly clicks on a harmful link or downloads a suspicious file. Once inside the system, ransomware can spread rapidly, especially in environments without adequate security protocols. As noted by M...