Introduction to PC Security
What you don't know about PC security really can
hurt you! Learn why you're at risk and what you can
do to protect your precious personal and business
data from the outside world. This course, taught by
a security expert, will quickly bring you up to
speed on the fundamentals of PC and network
security.
You'll understand and explore the many
vulnerabilities of operating systems, software, and
networks. Then, you'll get into the minds of hackers
and crackers, developing an understanding of the
exploits they use to access your computer without
your knowledge. You'll find out why, where, and how
viruses, worms, and blended threats are created.
You'll be able to identify and work to prevent DoS,
SYN flooding, and other network attacks. You'll
learn a safe way to share files and data across the
Internet through a virtual private network. And
you'll be able to install and configure a firewall
to build an impenetrable moat around your computer
or network.
This course includes a knowledgeable and
caring instructor who will guide you through your
lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your
questions. The instructor for this
course will be Debbie Mahler.
 Debbie
Mahler teaches students at the college and
university level on a wide range of business-related
topics, worked for nearly 15 years in the PC repair
business, has a successful online IT business, has
written six books, and writes for several
newsletters and other publications. Long before PC
security was a front-page topic, Debbie Mahler was
reporting on, and educating the public about,
viruses and other security threats. It was this
early groundwork that earned her the title of
Symantec Software Partner and Security Specialist.
Debbie holds a B.A. in Applied Behavioral Psychology
with graduate work in Organizational Psychology and
Computer Information Systems. She was a presidential
scholar and graduated with high academic honors
including Phi Theta Kappa.
To purchase this course, click the Enroll
Now button below:
Requirements:
A familiarity with general PC terminology, an
understanding of Windows and an ability to locate
programs and change settings (or completion of
Introduction to Windows XP), Internet access,
e-mail, and the Internet Explorer or Netscape or
Firefox Web browser.
Syllabus:
All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week
grace period at the end. Two lessons are released
each week for the six-week duration of the course.
You do not have to be present when the lesson is
released, but you must complete each lesson within
two weeks of its release.
A new section of each course starts on the second or
third Wednesday of each month. If enrolling in a
series of two or more courses, please be sure to
space the start date for each course at least two
months apart.
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Week One |
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Wednesday - Lesson 01 |
In our first lesson, you'll learn the
facts--and the myths--about PC security.
Then, I'll introduce you to the language of
security and explain what you need to know
about each acronym. By the end of this
lesson, you'll also be able to assess your
own risk, whether you're an individual or
manage a network of any size. You'll also
perform a self-assessment to evaluate just
how vulnerable you are to security flaws.
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Friday - Lesson 02 |
If you ever wondered what technical gurus
are speaking about when they talk about
LANs, WANs, VPNs, and P2P, you'll find
detailed answers in this lesson. Discover
the basics of networks and how your PC
connects to them.
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Week Two |
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Wednesday - Lesson 03 |
Most of us don't stop to think about how a
Mac can talk to a PC and vice versa. Yet,
different types of machines talk to each
other on a daily basis across networks. They
also talk to printers, fax machines, and a
host of other devices. The OSI model for
network connections lets you accomplish
this, and you'll learn all about it in this
lesson. I'll also teach you how, why, and
where the weak links of security are in
software and operating systems.
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Friday - Lesson 04 |
Get ready to investigate the world of
viruses, worms, and blended threats. You'll
learn what they are and the differences
between all three. I'll also show you why
people create them and where they come from.
Of course, all this knowledge will also
teach you how to protect yourself and your
network from the hackers and crackers of the
world.
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Week Three |
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Wednesday - Lesson 05 |
We’ll introduce you to the ware family in
this lesson. Who is the ware family? They
are the products that download themselves
onto your computer without your consent or
knowledge—spyware, scumware, malware, and
adware. You'll meet them and learn all about
their family traits and values. I'll also
show you where they live, places they
frequent, and how to remove these unwelcome
guests that inhabit your PC.
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Friday - Lesson 06 |
You may have heard of them: vulnerabilities,
exploits, and exposure. But what are they?
Have you ever wondered if someone really can
control your computer without your
knowledge? If you've been pondering these
questions lately, then you'll find your
answers here, along with priceless
information on protecting your computer and
your network to keep your business and
personal data private.
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Week Four |
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Wednesday - Lesson 07 |
Have you ever tried to access the Web but
received an error saying the page can't be
displayed, you aren't connected, or you
don't have access? If so, you may have been
under an attack! Denial of Service attacks
and SYN flooding are two types of network
attacks that seem to go unnoticed on
personal PCs and small networks. Why?
Because beginners don't know what they are,
why they're happening, or where they're
coming from. After this lesson, you'll no
longer be left wondering what happened to
your Internet connection.
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Friday - Lesson 08 |
This lesson will introduce you to firewalls.
Join me in this lesson, and you'll soon
start building an impenetrable moat around
your network.
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Week Five |
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Wednesday - Lesson 09 |
Now that you have your moat built, it's time
to arm up and defend yourself. In this
lesson, you'll learn how to configure your
firewall and maximize your network security.
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Friday - Lesson 10 |
You may want to check out this lesson before
you grab your laptop and run off to the next
Internet café, because what you learn today
may surprise you! Laptops and wireless
connectivity are the buzzwords of the
moment, but these two technologies aren't as
secure as they appear. You'll understand why
in this lesson.
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Week Six |
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Wednesday - Lesson 11 |
I'm going to share my love for VPNs with you
today. You'll learn what a Virtual Private
Network is, how it's different from standard
networks, how it works, how to secure it,
and how to set up your own. Just think about
the possibilities! You can share files with
family across the miles by allowing them to
connect remotely to your designated shared
folders. You can share music files, family
pictures, and anything else you choose to
give them access to.
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Friday - Lesson 12 |
Now that you know what's out there, how can
you possibly keep on top of security issues?
There's so much information out there, how
will you know what applies to you? Have no
fear, for I'll show you a simple method for
staying up-to-date with those security
issues that only pertain to you. You'll also
learn about emerging security technology,
sources to use that will help make the job
of managing and securing your network
easier, and creating a checklist to keep
handy. Finally, you can test yourself
against the first security assessment to see
how well you've secured your own PC or
network.
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To purchase this course, click the Enroll
Now button below:
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