Computer security facts for kids

Computer security is all about keeping computers and the information on them safe. It's a big part of information technology, which is like the study of how computers work and handle information. Think of it as a superhero shield for your digital world!

Computer security has three main goals:

• Confidentiality: This means keeping secrets. It makes sure that only people who are allowed to see information can actually see it. For example, your private messages or your game saves should only be seen by you.
• Integrity: This is about keeping things correct. It makes sure that information isn't changed by people who shouldn't change it. Imagine someone changing your high score in a game without your permission – integrity stops that!
• Availability: This goal makes sure that computers and their information are always ready to be used when you need them. It prevents people from stopping a computer from doing its job, like making sure a website is always online.

Computer security is special because it focuses on telling computers what they are not to do. Most computer programming tells computers to do things. Security often uses a lot of a computer's power to keep everything safe.

How Do We Keep Computers Safe?

There are many ways to protect computers and data. Here are some basic methods, from the strongest to the ones that add extra protection:

Limiting Who Can Access Computers

One of the best ways to keep a computer safe is to control who can use it. This means making sure only "safe" or trusted users can get onto the computer. This often involves using strong passwords or other special ways to prove who you are.

Using Special Devices to Block Threats

Sometimes, extra devices are used to block any "unsafe" activity. These can be physical tools that stop someone from plugging in a bad device, or special hardware that helps filter out dangerous signals.

Software for Protection: Firewalls and Antivirus

Two very important tools are firewalls and antivirus software.

• A firewall is like a guard for your computer's network connection. It decides what information can come in and go out, blocking anything suspicious.
• Antivirus software scans your computer for harmful programs, often called malware or viruses, and removes them.

Real-World Security Challenges

Computer security isn't just about big computers. Even everyday things like vending machines can have security challenges! For example, in 2014, the New York Times reported that hackers were finding ways to get into the computer systems of vending machines. This shows how important computer security is for almost everything connected to the internet.

Related pages

• Cybercrime
• FreeOTFE - Disk encryption
• Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) - Email encryption

Images for kids

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  While most computer security uses digital tools like passwords, physical locks are still important to stop people from messing with computers.

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  This is an example of a fake email, called a "phishing" email. It looks like it's from a bank, but it's trying to trick you into giving away your secret information. Notice the misspelled words! Even though the website link might look real, it actually goes to a hacker's page.

See also

In Spanish: Seguridad informática para niños