Syllabus in Computer System Security
Syllabus in Computer System Security
Catalog Data:
Countermeasures to attacks to computer systems from miscreants (or
hackers) and basic topics of cryptography and network security.
Textbook:
None
Course Objectives
The structure and operating of software systems that allow hackers to
penetrate and malware to operate. A comprehensive study of vulnerabilities,
object-code level attacks, security measures, software shortcomings and
forms of attacks and countermeasures.
Course Outcomes:
After the course the student will be able to:
1. Understand the underlying vulnerabilities of systems from a software
standpoint.
2. Understand the structure of bits and bytes, data and programs, stored
at the object code level in memory and files.
3. Understand the basic of cryptography and computer security.
4. Understand the techniques used to hack into computer systems.
5. Understand the concepts secure programming.
6. Understand how to program and deploy countermeasures for keeping
software systems secure
Evaluation:
Students are assessed on grades received in projects, homeworks, exams.
The grades are curved for determining grade cutoff points on an A, B, C
scale. The weight distribution is Assignments: 35%; Mid-Term Exam: 30%;
Final Exam: 35%.
Topics:
1.
Risks and Trust
Risks of Computer Systems
Vulnerabilities and System Design
How to steal information
Basics of Attacks
The Shared Secret Problem
2.
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Threat Models
Internet Threat Model
Ken Thompson and Software Trust
Viral Threat Model
3.
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Attacks
Attack Mechanisms
System attacks and Network Attacks
Virus, Trojan, Worms, Spyware, Adware, Browser attacks
Buffer Overflows
The RootKit Attack
Malicious processes and computational power
Network based attacks (man in the middle, denial of service,
pharming)
4.
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5.
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Basic Cryptography
Random numbers, Cryptographic Hashes
Symmetric Encryption
Asymmetric Encryption
Digital Signatures
Digital Certificates
Certificate Authorities and Certificate Chains
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and IPSec
6.
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7.
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8.
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9.
10.
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