Driving Question
How does trusting antivirus software cause a paradox within computer and cyber security systems?
|
Reflections - |
SLR Results |
#1
So far, there is only 1 credible enough source to be used in my research, which is the article on Kaspersky Lab called “Why Using Multiple Antivirus Programs is a Bad Idea.” In general, it explains how having 2 antivirus programs running at the same time is not recommended, mainly because they will compete each other and try to destroy each other, causing havoc on your computer. This is new knowledge for me, since I do not have much experience with antivirus programs, or viruses in general. I’ve learned that when it comes to antivirus software, it is not the best idea to have more than one running at a time. Two antivirus programs running at the same time will completely drain your computer’s power. Two antivirus programs that are running at the same time will see each other as viruses, since they are collecting and destroying viruses on your computer, and try to destroy each other. Not only that, but the viruses that they collect are going to be competitive since both programs are trying to destroy viruses at the same time. All of this is stated in the article “Why Using Multiple Antivirus programs is a Bad Idea” in the Kaspersky Lab. I am hoping that I can find more sources where the author explains how antivirus soft wares actually harm your computer, such as the current source that I have. There is so much more information that I need to find, and I will gladly look for it. This topic is generally easy, but with the added twist of exploring the negativity of online security, I have set forth a challenge for myself. I like working alone on projects like this because I get to explore all of the ideas on my topic and expand my own knowledge on the topic. I can let my ideas flow freely instead of challenging them with a team member’s. I hope to continue with this idea and present it in the near future. #2 I found out that my topic was not challenging enough for me, so I changed my driving question to make my project a bit more specific and challenging for me. I’ve decided that for this project, the best thing I could do is interview experts on my topic. I just need to confirm my findings, and/or make new findings that could possibly improve my project’s information range. The hardest part about my project so far has been trying to find people to interview, since I want to interview experts on antivirus software. The easy part is finding information on the internet, since I now have a more specific idea of my topic to look for. I need to make sure that all my sources are credible and that all of the people I interview are reliable. I also need to make sure that all the information that I use/receive somehow fits into my 4 generalizations. The collaboration with myself is fine for the most part. I work well with myself and I can get a lot done if I set my mind to it. The only problem that I have with working by myself is that at some points, the work can get a bit overwhelming, but overall, I can do this project with little to no struggle. I look forward to seeing my project’s finale and displaying my finding to an audience. #3 I learned that there is always a blind spot in an AV program. A flaw that lets harmful viruses into your computer. I also learned that Symantec, the world’s biggest AV vendor, had some major flaws in its programming. The entire Norton Brand was on the same core engine, so with one vulnerability in a program, the attack had access to all of the AV programs on the Norton Brand. I work decently well alone, but I do regret not choosing a partner since the work was at some points, overwhelming. I am planning on making a computer with different panels representing different scenarios. I will allow people to choose what panel they want, and I’ll talk about it. I still need to do a lot of work, so I will leave this at that. InformationSystems work to complete a task or a mission.
Systems are composed of subsystems and parts.- Antivirus systems can be up to a couple million lines of code that serve different functions.
CONVERGENCE In this case, there is convergence or a coming together of ideas and parts because the millions of lines of code that perform many different tasks come together to form one program that performs all of the tasks simultaneously. Systems follow rules - Antivirus software has only 1 program or rule: protecting the computer from viruses.
Systems may be influenced by other systems. -Antivirus software is activated by the user and is active when a virus appears, and it can be configured by coding.
-Many people trust antivirus software to protect them from the dangerous viruses today, but with the advancement of technology, the average computer is no match against a very developed virus that can bypass the antivirus program, disable it, and infect the computer. The antivirus program just exposes the computer to viruses, protecting it from some, but also letting some into the system. |
1. How much do you trust Antivirus Programs?
2. Can a virus be disguised as a fake antivirus program? 3. How many flaws can there be when downloading antivirus programs? 4. Can you hack into an antivirus program? 5. Can you overwhelm an antivirus program? 1) When trusting an antivirus program there are a few things you do have to consider. There is a such thing as a “False Positive” or a file that is not a virus, but the antivirus thinks it is. Now 99% of the time this doesn’t happen, but on occasion it does happen. Now there is a second part to this answer. There is not one program out there that protects you from everything. There are many types of Virus’s, Malware, Ransomware, and other kinds of malicious software that doesn’t always get picked up. It all depends on how good the person who made the virus is and if it is what they would call a Zero Day Attack, in otherwise it is a brand new virus that no one has seen nor did they know there was a flaw in whatever software this virus is made to attack. So far as trusting what they do fine, then yes I trust them. Trusting them to protect me fully, I do not. 2) Yes they can. These are just flat out “Fake” software. There are a lot of sites that when you go to can download fake software without you knowing, or a pop up may come up while browsing the web saying you have a virus or you are infected. Most of the time these “Fake” programs either put a virus on your PC, which doesn’t happen most of the time, but instead try to get you to call a number with someone to “Scam” you into letting them remote into your PC and saying they are from Microsoft, that you have all these viruses and then asking to pay an outrages amount of money to fix it. I have had people fall for this and I have had people who are the wiser. 3) Now when downloading the actual program the only “Flaw” there can be is user error. A lot of people will search for a program and not always go to the proper website to download the software. This can cause issues and install either the wrong software or a lot of unwanted software. 4) I wouldn’t use the term “Hack” as I would more Disable. Most virus’s don’t try to hack an antivirus software. There are a lot of Virus that can get past being detected and then disable either windows software or other antivirus software so that it can then install more unwanted software and/or viruses without you knowing 5) Overwhelm not so much. It can be disabled as in the previous answer. If there was a way to overwhelm an antivirus software the hack would need to find a flaw in the antivirus software itself, close a virus that when the antivirus reads it, would cause either a bug check or cause the software to loop until it crashes. This isn’t nearly as common and most antivirus companies test their software for these kinds of flaws. (Interview with the ITT tech SLR Results1. How much do you trust Antivirus Programs?
2. Can a virus be disguised as a fake antivirus program? 3. How many flaws can there be when downloading antivirus programs? 4. Can you hack into an antivirus program? 5. Can you overwhelm an antivirus program? 1) When trusting an antivirus program there are a few things you do have to consider. There is a such thing as a “False Positive” or a file that is not a virus, but the antivirus thinks it is. Now 99% of the time this doesn’t happen, but on occasion it does happen. Now there is a second part to this answer. There is not one program out there that protects you from everything. There are many types of Virus’s, Malware, Ransomware, and other kinds of malicious software that doesn’t always get picked up. It all depends on how good the person who made the virus is and if it is what they would call a Zero Day Attack, in otherwise it is a brand new virus that no one has seen nor did they know there was a flaw in whatever software this virus is made to attack. So far as trusting what they do fine, then yes I trust them. Trusting them to protect me fully, I do not. 2) Yes they can. These are just flat out “Fake” software. There are a lot of sites that when you go to can download fake software without you knowing, or a pop up may come up while browsing the web saying you have a virus or you are infected. Most of the time these “Fake” programs either put a virus on your PC, which doesn’t happen most of the time, but instead try to get you to call a number with someone to “Scam” you into letting them remote into your PC and saying they are from Microsoft, that you have all these viruses and then asking to pay an outrages amount of money to fix it. I have had people fall for this and I have had people who are the wiser. 3) Now when downloading the actual program the only “Flaw” there can be is user error. A lot of people will search for a program and not always go to the proper website to download the software. This can cause issues and install either the wrong software or a lot of unwanted software. 4) I wouldn’t use the term “Hack” as I would more Disable. Most virus’s don’t try to hack an antivirus software. There are a lot of Virus that can get past being detected and then disable either windows software or other antivirus software so that it can then install more unwanted software and/or viruses without you knowing 5) Overwhelm not so much. It can be disabled as in the previous answer. If there was a way to overwhelm an antivirus software the hack would need to find a flaw in the antivirus software itself, close a virus that when the antivirus reads it, would cause either a bug check or cause the software to loop until it crashes. This isn’t nearly as common and most antivirus companies test their software for these kinds of flaws. (Interview with the ITT tech at OCI Sewing Machine Co. |
My ELA website
Sources -
Serge Malenkovich (2013, September 9) Why Using Multiple Antivirus Programs is a Bad Idea. Retrieved from - https://blog.kaspersky.com/multiple-antivirus-programs-bad-idea/2670/ An Author at CBC News (2016, July 1) Google Finds Critical Flaws in Popular Symantec, Norton Antivirus Software . Retrieved from - http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/norton-antivirus-1.2694494 Lee Bell (2014, July 30) Security Researcher Finds Exploitable Flaws in 14 Major Antivirus engines. Retrieved from - http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2357943/security-researcher-finds-exploitable-flaws-in-14-major-anti-virus-engines Michael A. Cusumano (2004, March) Who is Liable for Bugs and Security Flaws in Software? Retrieved from - http://moosehead.cis.umassd.edu/cis580/readings/whoIsLiable.pdf Robert O’ Callahan (2017, January 26) Disable Your Antivirus Software (Except Microsoft’s). Retrieved from - http://robert.ocallahan.org/2017/01/disable-your-antivirus-software-except.html James Sanders (2016, June 30) Why Antivirus Programs Have Become The Problem, Not The Solution. Retrieved from - http://www.techrepublic.com/article/why-antivirus-programs-have-become-the-problem-not-the-solution/ Martin Brinkmann (2016, June 29) Google Shames Symantec for Security Issues. Retrieved from - https://www.ghacks.net/2016/06/29/google-shames-symantec-for-security-issues/ Alina Bradford (2011, September 16) What was the First Antivirus Program? Retrieved from - http://www.toptenreviews.com/software/security/best-antivirus-software/what-was-the-first-antivirus-software.html |
Universal Themes and Generalizations
Systems -Work to complete a task or a missions -Are composed of sub systems and parts -Follow rules -May be influenced by other systems |