Hackers A hacker is someone who bypasses the system's access controls by taking advantage of security weaknesses that the systems developers have left in the system. In addition, many hackers are adept at discovering the passwords of authorized users who fail to choose passwords that are difficult to guess or not included in the dictionary. The activities of hackers represent serious threats to the confidentiality of information in computer systems. Many hackers have created copies of inadequately protected files and placed them in areas of the system where they can be accessed by unauthorized persons. Masqueraders A masquerader is an authorized user of the system who has obtained the password of another user and thus gains access to files available to the other user.
Masqueraders are often able to read and copy confidential files.
Masquerading is a common occurrence in companies that allow users to share passwords. This type of activity occurs when authorized system users gain access to files that they are not authorized to access. Weak access controls often enable unauthorized access, which can compromise confidential files. Unprotected Downloaded Files Downloading can compromise confidential information if, in the process, files are moved from the secure environment of a host computer to an unprotected microcomputer for local processing. While on the microcomputer, unattended confidential information could be accessed by authorized users.