Description

As KAUST grows, we are seeing more Unix computers on the KAUST network: Vital research data is stored on computers in addition to personal data such as financial info. Research Collaboration is going on between KAUST and other institutes. All of this information has to be shared and stored in a secure, protected manner. With recent attacks on information systems such as the heartbleed bug, securing Unix computers and the stored information has become more critical than ever. This seminar’s goal is to highlight the need and importance of securing information from a network perspective as well as at the computer level with emphasis on Unix. It will list some of the common ways a hacker attacks a computer that is on the network and precautions that can be to minimize the risks of such attacks. It will describe the measures that will limit the damage in case of an attack or a compromised system. It will teach secure means of accessing the Internet from a Unix-based device, present an overview of hardening systems and address vulnerability issues. While being moderately technical, this lecture will still be within the grasp of a normal computer user doing day-to-day tasks on the Internet using a Unix-based device.