Operating System and it’s Security
In this blog, I would like give an overview on Operating System also known as Heart of System. It can be also said as one of the most important part of a System.
What is an Operating System?
An operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like file management, memory management, process management, handling input and output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
Why is OS important?
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer’s memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer’s language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.
Following are some of important functions of an operating System.
- Memory Management
- Processor Management
- Device Management
- File Management
- Security
- Control over system performance
- Job accounting
- Error detecting aids
- Coordination between other software and users.
- Secondary Storage Management.
- Process Management.
- Network Management.
- I/O Device Management.
Why OS security is needed?
Operating system security (OS security) is the process of ensuring OS integrity, confidentiality and availability. OS security encompasses all preventive-control techniques, which safeguard any computer assets capable of being stolen, edited or deleted if OS security is compromised.
Security refers to providing a protection system to computer system resources such as CPU, memory, disk, software programs and most importantly data/information stored in the computer system. If a computer program is run by an unauthorized user, then he/she may cause severe damage to computer or data stored in it. So a computer system must be protected against unauthorized access, malicious access to system memory, viruses, worms etc.
OS security may be approached in many ways, including adherence to the following:
- Performing regular OS patch updates.
- Installing updated antivirus engines and software.
- Scrutinizing all incoming and outgoing network traffic through a firewall.
- Creating secure accounts with required privileges only (i.e., user management).
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