Safe Computing

Part of: Impact of Computing

Defending Your Data Safe computing is the set of habits and tools that protect data and systems from misuse. It ties together everything in Big Idea 5: protecting PII, respecting IP, and avoiding harmful effects all depend on safe practices. Core Threats - Phishing : fraudulent messages that trick you into revealing credentials or clicking malware. - Malware : malicious software (viruses, ransomware) that damages or hijacks systems. - Keylogging and weak passwords : attackers capture or guess credentials. - Unencrypted data : information sent in plain text can be intercepted. Core Defenses - Strong, unique passwords plus multi-factor authentication (MFA) : even a stolen password is not enough. - Encryption : scrambling data so only authorized parties can read it, both in transit (HTTPS) and at rest. - Software updates that patch known vulnerabilities. - Skepticism toward unexpected links and permission requests. The exam treats security as a trade-off : stronger protection often costs convenience, and no system is perfectly secure. Key Takeaways - Safe computing protects data through habits and tools. - Threats include phishing, malware, and weak credentials . - Defenses include st

Challenge: Password Strength Meter