An Overview of Computer security

As more business activities are being automated and an increasing number of computers are being used to store vital and sensitive information the need for secure computer systems becomes more apparent. These systems can be achieved only through systematic design; they cannot be achieved through haphazard seat-of-the-pants methods. This paper introduces some known threats to the computer security, categorizes the threats, and analyses protection mechanisms and techniques for countering the threats. The threats have been classified more so as definitions and then followed by the classifications of these threats. Also mentioned are the protection mechanisms.