Computer Privacy and Security

Computer systems are susceptible to various kinds of invasion and sabotage. Viruses can infect hardware and software. Competitors may log onto a company's network and read confidential files; students may alter grades in school records. Several solutions can prevent unauthorized access to a computer system. A password program assigns a secret password or security code to each person authorized to use a system. Additional passwords can be assigned for access to specific files. Data-encryption programs scramble information in a file prior to storage or transmission that require a special password to translate the scrambled data back into its original form. The links included herein relate to computer privacy and computer security.