Hardware Flashcards
Briefly describe what is meant by ‘mainframes’…
Very large machines with their own computer rooms and support systems.
List six main types of hardware
Mainframe Servers UPS Desktop Portable Digital Mobile Phones
— are often as powerful as a mainframe, but do not require a dedicated computer room
Servers
Groups of servers supporting applications are known as — —
Server farms
Servers may form part of an outsourcing contract, now usually known as the —
Cloud
UPS stands for…
Uninterruptible power supply
If a desktop is dependent on a server for its software, it is known as a — —
Thin client
If a desktop contains all the software it needs, it is known as a — —
Fat client
If a desktop is entirely dependent on an internet-based server for its operation, it is known as a — computer
Network
If a desktop is not connected to a network, it is known as a — — machine
Stand-alone
What are the three main types of portable devices?
Laptops
Tablets
PDAs
What are the three types of mobile workers?
Road warriors
Telecommuters
Hotdeskers
Describe ‘road warriors’…
They work away from the office but cannot connect back to office systems as required
What is the chief characteristic of telecommuters?
They have a dedicated working environment at home
What is the main risk where telecommuters are concerned, and how should they handle it.
The main risk is security. The company should ensure there is appropriate protection on the network as well as the home machine.
Briefly describe ‘hotdesking’…
Where staff have no dedicated desk and use whatever facilities are available when in the office.
What is a firewall?
A specially configurable device providing a controllable means of connecting one or more networks
What are the two basic configurations of a firewall?
Deny all
Accept all
What does it mean if a firewall is configured to deny all?
Nothing is allowed through unless configured to specifically allow
What does it mean when a firewall if configured to accept all?
Everything is allowed through unless configured to specifically deny.
Premises for the use of a firewall should be properly —
Documented
List a few example premises of a firewall that should be documented…
Network traffic to and from outside networks must travel through firewall to allow only authorised packets.
No services may be run on the firewall except those specifically required to provide firewall services.
Firewall must not be used for general purpose file storage or to run programs, except those required by the firewall.
Under no circumstances should any passwords or internal addresses cross the firewall onto the internet.
All public services should be placed on outside of firewall.
Maintain adequate backups to enable restoration of systems in event of attack.
What is a Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)?
A network containing all the tools needed to ensure the internal network is only used for authorised purposes.
What four types of tools might you expect to find in the DMZ?
Virus scanner
Hostile applet scanner
Net nanny
Remote authentication software
What does a virus scanner do?
Scans incoming files an email for viruses
What does a hostile applet scanner do?
Prevents Active-X or Java applets from damaging internal systems
What does a net nanny do?
Controls access to undesirable sites
What does Remote Authentication Software do?
Validates users accessing the internal network from a remote location or across the internet.
What is the overriding risk where hardware is concerned?
Hostile access to the hardware
What are the two types of hostile access someone could gain to hardware?
Physical contact
Logical contact
What eight kinds of damage can be done through physical contact with hardware?
Hardware theft Taking apart and removal of components Adjusting the setup Destroying the equipment Accessing computer programs Changing software settings or defaults Inserting malicious code Attaching devices such as keystroke loggers
What damage to hardware can be done via logical contact?
Programs can be run that damage the hardware.
List seven access points for hostile access to hardware…
Modem Backup devices Network connection equipment Servers Keyboard Internet Removable media
