Introduction to Network Security

N. Ganesan, Ph.D.

Acknowledgements

Chapter Focus
Introduction to computer security Overview of security threats Outline of security measures Summary

Understanding the Threats

Vulnerability
Intentional attacks on computing resources and networks persist for a number of reasons Complexity of computer software and newly emerging hardware and software combinations make computer and the network susceptible to intrusion
It is difficult to thoroughly test an application for all possible intrusions

Security Threats
1. Trojan horse programs 2. Back door and remote administration programs 3. Denial of service 4. Being an intermediary for another attack 5. Unprotected Windows shares 6. Mobile code (Java, JavaScript, and ActiveX) 7. Cross-site scripting 8. Email spoofing 9. Email-borne viruses 10. Hidden file extensions 11. Chat clients 12. Packet sniffing Source: CERT

Trojan Horse Programs

Trojan horses are programs that are installed without the knowledge of the user Trojan horse programs can perform a wide variety of covert talks such as modifying and deleting files, transmitting files to the intruder, installing programs, installing viruses and other Trojan horse programs etc.

Backdoor and Remote Administration Programs

Covert installation of remote administration programs such as BackOrifice, Netbus and SubSeven Such programs give remote access to the computer from anywhere on the Internet

Intermediary for Other Attacks

Client computer is used to launch mostly denial of service attacks on other computers An agent is usually installed using a Trojan horse program to launch the denial of service attack on other computers

Unprotected Windows Share

Malicious code can be stored in protected Windows share for propagation

Mobile code (Java/JavaScript/ActiveX)

Mobile codes in Java, JavaScript, and ActiveX can be executed by a web browser is generally useful, but it can also be used to run malicious code on the client computer. Disabling Java, JavaScript, and ActiveX from running in the Web browser must be considered when accessing websites that cannot be trusted Email received in HTML format is also susceptible to mobile code attack because it could also carry the mobile code

Cross-site Scripting
A malicious script can be sent and stored by a web developer on a website to be downloaded by an unsuspecting surfer When this website is accessed by a user, the script is transferred to the local web browser Ways of acquiring malicious scripts include following links in web pages, email messages, or newsgroup, using interactive forms on an untrustworthy site, viewing online discussion groups, forums, or other dynamically generated pages where users can post text containing HTML tags - CERT

Email Spoofing
Email spoofing tricks the user in believing that the email originated from a certain user such as an administrator although it actually originated from a hacker Such emails may solicit personal information such as credit card details and passwords Examining the email header may provide some additional information about the origin of the email

Email Borne Viruses

Malicious code is often distributed through email as attachments Attachments must thus be opened with caution

Hidden File Extensions

An attachment may have a hidden file extension
Such files may execute the attachment

Examaple:

Downloader (MySis.avi.exe or QuickFlick.mpg.exe) VBS/Timofonica (TIMOFONICA.TXT.vbs) VBS/CoolNote (COOL_NOTEPAD_DEMO.TXT.vbs) VBS/OnTheFly (AnnaKournikova.jpg.vbs)

In the above files, the hidden extension is .vbs pertaining to an executable Visual Basic script

Chat Clients
Internet chat applications such as instant messaging applications and Internet Relay Chat (IRC) involve the exchange of information including files that may contain malicious executable codes The same caution that applies to email attachments apply here as well

Packet Sniffing
Packet sniffer programs capture the contents of packets that may include passwords and other sensitive information that could later be used for compromising the client computer For example, a sniffer installed on a cable modem in one cable trunk may be able to sniff the password from other users on the same trunk Encryption of network traffic provides one of the defenses against sniffing

Providing Security

Reasons to Secure Computing and Network Resources

Many businesses rely heavily on computers to operate critical business processes Individuals are using computers for tasks that required confidentiality Advent of Internet has provided a physical path of entry for every computer connected to the Internet
An always connected broadband connection is always vulnerable in this case

Providing Security
Providing security requires action on two fronts, namely the management and the technical fronts respectively The management aspect relates to organizational policies and behavior that would address security threats and issues The technical aspect relates to the implementation of hardware and software to secure access to computing resources and the network

Management Aspect
Best practice approach is to ensure secure behavior The above can be done by established guidelines for managing, addressing and rectifying security related issues

Technical Aspect
Introduce security related hardware and software to secure access to computers and computing resources

Technical Approaches
From an implementation point of view, the following are some of the steps that could be taken to provide security
Implement security patches and other updates pertaining to an operating system and other venerable software such as the Internet Explorer Install self-monitoring an anti-virus, anti-spam and antihacker and pop-up blocker software Install a firewalls Use encryption wherever feasible

All the approaches can be used to complement one another

Self-Monitoring Software and Security Patches

Security patches are issued by mainly the OS vendor such as Microsoft to patch security holes as they are discovered Examples of self-monitoring software include anti-virus, spyware elimination, pop-up blocking, and anti-spam software Both the security patches and the selfmonitoring software act at the local client level

Examples of Self-Monitoring Software

Antivirus
Mcafee

Spyware elimination Pop-up blocker Anti-Spam

Firewalls
Firewalls are used for controlling access to the computing resources In general, it acts at the network level controlling network access to computing resources Firewalls can be implemented in software as well as in hardware

Encryption
By encryption, the data can be made illegible to the intruder It can be implemented at the network level as well as the client level For example, locally stored data can be encrypted and the network traffic could equally well be encrypted

Some Applications of Encryption

VPN PKI Digital Certificates

More on Security Techniques

Firewalls and encryption will be discussed further in separate modules under the section entitled Network Security

Web References
firewall.com firewall-net.com firewallguide.com msdn.microsoft.com winroute.com tinysoftware.com sunsite.unc.edu

References
http:// www.howstuffworks.com http://www.microsoft.com http://www.securityfocus.com http://grace.com/us-firewalls.htm http://www.kerio.com/us/supp_kpf_manual. html http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/secur ity/2.5.1. http://www.firewall-software.com

References
http://www.tlc.discovery.com/convergence/hacker s/hackers.html http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/faqs/hackerhowto.html http://www.iss.net/security_center/advice/Underg round/Hacking/Methods/Technical/ http://www.infosecuritymag.com/articles/march01 /features4_battle_plans.shtml http://www.nmrc.org/faqs/www/wsec09.html http://www.microsoft.com/. Tim Rains Technical Lead
Networking Team

Q310099, "Description of the Portqry.exe CommandLine Utility"

The End