Safe Computing
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| personally identifiable information/ˈpɜːsənəli aɪˈdentɪfaɪəbl ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃn/ | personally identifiable information |
| Phishing/ˈfɪʃɪŋ/ | Fake messages that trick you into revealing passwords or card numbers. |
| Malware/ˈmælweə/ | Harmful software that damages or spies on a device. |
| encryption/enˈkrɪpʃn/ | Transforming information using an algorithm and key so that unauthorised readers cannot readily understand it. |
| Symmetric/sɪˈmetrɪk/ | Having corresponding parts or relationships that remain equivalent under a specified transformation or interchange. |
| Asymmetric/ˌeɪsɪˈmetrɪk/ | In cryptography, describing methods that use a related public key and private key rather than one shared secret key. |
| authentication/ɔːˌθentɪˈkeɪʃn/ | Checking that a claimed identity is valid. |
Guard your personal information
- Staying safe online starts with guarding your personally identifiable information 个人身份信息 (PII).
- That is data like your name, address, ID number, or location.
- Such data can identify you and be misused if exposed.
- Think before you share it.
Personally identifiable information (PII) includes:
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PII can identify you and be misused if exposed.
Common threats
- Phishing 网络钓鱼: fake messages that trick you into revealing passwords or card numbers.
- Malware 恶意软件: harmful software that damages or spies on a device.
- Social engineering: manipulating people rather than machines into giving up secrets.
- Most attacks target the human, not just the computer.
Encryption 加密 scrambles plaintext with a key; only the key can decrypt it
A threat, or a defence?
Phishing, malware, and social engineering are threats; encryption and strong authentication are defences that keep data and accounts safe.
Phishing is:
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Phishing targets the person, not just the machine.
Encoding data so only authorised users can read it is called ______.
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Encryption is a key defence for data.
Match each encryption type to its keys.
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Asymmetric solves the problem of sharing a secret key safely.
In asymmetric encryption, the public key is used to unlock the data.
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False. The public key locks (encrypts) and only the matching private key unlocks (decrypts), which solves the key-sharing problem.
Encryption
- A key defence is encryption — encoding data so only authorised users can read it.
- Symmetric 对称 encryption uses a single shared key to both lock and unlock. Fast, but both sides must share the secret safely.
- Asymmetric 非对称 encryption uses a pair of keys: a public key anyone can use to lock, and a private key only the receiver has to unlock.
- Asymmetric solves the key-sharing problem — it is how secure websites work.
Why does two-factor authentication help even if your password is stolen?
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A second factor is still required, adding a layer of safety.
Safe habits
- Apply strong authentication 身份验证 — hard passwords and two-factor login.
- Be cautious about sharing personal data.
A secure website. When you see the padlock, your browser and the server use asymmetric encryption to safely agree on a shared secret, then switch to fast symmetric encryption for the rest. An attacker who intercepts the traffic sees only scrambled data. Add a strong password and two-factor login, and a stolen password alone still won't unlock your account.
Safe computing starts with guarding your PII. Watch for threats — phishing, malware, and social engineering. Defend with encryption: symmetric (one shared key, fast) and asymmetric (public + private keys, solves key sharing, powers secure sites). Add strong authentication like two-factor login.