2 Secure versus insecure

The best way to explain computer security is to contrast a secure one with an insecure one. On an insecure computer:

• Data can be stolen or destroyed.
• Passwords can be compromised/leaked.
• The computer can be reconfigured to behave undesirably.
• Normal access to resources can be blocked.

It is not difficult to come with many examples of what can happen to an insecure computer. The difficult part is to explain how. Knowing how is a big step toward securing a computer.