Chapter 4 Projects

Antivirus Software
If you suspect that your computer has become infected, it is useful to immediately activate antivirus software to scan your files for a virus. With the continued spread of viruses, antivirus software has become an essential utility in today's computing environment. Many antivirus software packages are available in computer stores, on computer bulletin boards, and on the Internet. Find information about three antivirus software packages and fill out the following comparison chart.

Cyber Crime
Cyber crime takes many forms. In one case, a pair of thieves taped an "out of order" sign over a bank's ATM slot. The sign also instructed customers to place their deposits in a nearby locked box (provided by the thieves). This use of "low-tech" to by-pass "high-tech" security measures illustrates that many crimes take advantage of human fallibility as well as technical loop-holes.

Assume that you are a newspaper reporter and that your assignment is to write a consumer-awareness article about cyber crime that can affect any individual. Use your library and Internet resources to gather information about cyber crime, then write an interesting and informative article. To capture the interest of your readers, you might consider relating some interesting cyber crime incidents, quoting some cybersleuths, or profiling a cybercriminal.

Biometrics
With the increasing use of online commerce and heightened interest in data security, biometrics are gaining importance. New and more reliable biometric devices appear each year. What is the state of the art in biometrics? Use your library and Web resources to research recent developments in biometrics. Write a short paper summarizing how these devices relate to computer systems, network access, and e-commerce. Make sure that you include a list of your resources.