Computer forensics can investigate instances where an individual or organisation believes their systems have been the victim of misuse. Specialists will be able to investigate a variety of misuse methods – including hacking attacks – and extract the necessary evidence in order to act in legal proceedings. We can also provide guidance to help prevent future attacks.

Computer hacking is usually undertaken by career criminals who wish to steal personal information and access sensitive company information, using highly sophisticated and difficult to trace techniques. Identifying this is central to a prosecution, which is why we are happy to act as an expert witness in court. We can often present complex and highly technical issues that go into forming a forensic examination and present these in a manner that all parties can understand.

Forensic providers draw on an array of investigative techniques for discovering data present in a computer system, and in the recovery of deleted or relevant files. This is essential to the presentation of evidence in court cases and in employment tribunals. These investigations can not only uncover evidence of hacking, but the theft of intellectual property, electronic fraud, the accessing of inappropriate or illegal websites etc.

Computer Security is a branch of technology known as information security as applied to computers. Information security means protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. The objective of computer security varies and can include protection of information from theft or corruption, or the preservation of availability, as defined in the security policy.

Technological and managerial procedures applied to computer systems to ensure the availability, integrity and confidentiality of information managed by the computer system

Computer security imposes requirements on computers that are different from most system requirements because they often take the form of constraints on what computers are not supposed to do.

Typical approaches to improving computer security can include the following:

o Physically limit access to computers to only those who will not compromise security.

o Hardware mechanisms that impose rules on computer programs, thus avoiding depending on computer programs for computer security.

o Operating system mechanisms that impose rules on programs to avoid trusting computer programs.

o Programming strategies to make computer programs dependable and resist subversion.

Computer Security has three Layers:

o Hacking

o Cracking

o Phreaking

Hacking:

Unauthorized use or attempts to circumvent or bypass the security mechanisms of an information system or network.

Computer hacking always involves some degree of infringement on the privacy of others or damage to computer-based property such as files, web pages or software. The impact of computer hacking varies from simply being simply invasive and annoying to illegal.

Cracking:

The act of breaking into a computer system. Software Cracking is the modification of software to remove protection methods: copy prevention, trial/demo version, serial number, hardware key, CD check or software annoyances like nag screens and adware.

What is your definition of hacking? Most people think of the news stories that relate to big companies having embarrassing problems as their data is compromised. But in truth, hacking goes a lot further than this.

It doesn’t always have to be someone you don’t know who hacks into your systems and causes problems for your business. It could equally be someone who works for you that doesn’t have your best interests at heart. This is because the basic meaning of hacking is when someone accesses some or all of your computer systems without permission. And it doesn’t just happen over the internet.

Quite often, many people don’t see how widespread computer hacking can be. Assuming that they are only in danger from internet based attacks means they may not be covered for all risks. Even those companies that do all they can to prevent hacking which occurs online may have unwittingly turned a blind eye to other dangers.

This is why an understanding of what hacking is and what it involves can help you to protect your own business more fully. But what do you do if you don’t know all the ins and outs of the threats posed?

The easiest solution is to rely on an expert to make sure every potential hole is plugged, and no one can break into your systems. Network penetration testing is one of the best ways to see how good your computer network really is. If you do have vulnerabilities it’s best to find out via someone who is honest and is looking for them to benefit you. If you assume everything is okay and it isn’t, you could be in for a nasty shock at some point in the future.