Abstract
The past few years have seen cyber criminals shifting their focus of attacks away from a few large bodies (such as large enterprises) to many smaller bodies. The reason is that large enterprises have numerous security measures in place and it therefore requires considerable time to subvert their systems. Smaller organisations have much less security in place and it therefore requires minimal time to subvert their systems.
Cyber criminals are creating increasingly sophisticated attacks. Current attacks aimed at small bodies involve installing malicious software on users’ machines, collecting data, logging key strokes, viewing users’ computer screens and turning on users’ microphones or cameras, to name but a few. Information collected can be used to launch an attack or even allow for identity theft, which in many cases is aimed at looting money from victims.
Currently, the small bodies or victims of cyber attack are small companies and individuals who make use of personal computers at home. A solution is needed to aid these individuals against cyber attack.
This research does exactly that. The cyber environment of individuals who make use of personal computers and small companies was examined to determine the reasons for their weak security as well as the attacks they are facing. A system is presented in this research to aid in their security.
M.Sc. (Computer Science)