System Software and Security

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System Software and Security
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System Software

• Why we want to learn about system software?
• Changing needs
• DOS is dead?
• Different system software platforms (DOS,
  Macintosh).
• Networking. Different system software can
  coexist in a network.
• System maintenance.
• Operating System / System Utility Programs

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Operating System (OS)

• An operating system is a piece of large and
  complex software. (Thats why it needs to be
  loaded into MM.)
• OS is a resource manager. It helps you to manage
  both hardware and software resources.
• When a computer is running, the memory should be
  storing the OS, application program, and data.
• ExamplesWin95/98/Me, WinNT, Win2000, WinXP,
  Win2003, MacOS, Unix).
• Intel (or AMD) microprocessors (386, 486,
  Pentium, PentiumPro, PentiumII, PentiumIII,
  Pentium4,) can run on multiple OSes.

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OS Features

• Hardware Management
• Memory Management
• Disk Management
• Network Connectivity
• Process (Program) Management
• Multitasking
• Process Scheduling
• Security Management

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Windows95/98/ME

• A better DOS/Windows combo.
• Processor 386 to Pentium4.
• Advantages
• As compared to Win3.1, better utilization of
  hardware and memory, better error recovery,
  built-in internet access programs, built-in
  networking, plug-and-play (easy upgrade?).
• Disadvantages
• Consume more system resources vs. Windows3.1.
• Old technology compared to WinNT/2000/XP.

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Windows 2000

• Windows 2000 Professional / 2000 Server
• A better WindowsNT.
• A huge mammoth that requires more hardware
  resources.
• Good for corporations.
• Processors Intel-type, PowerPC, DEC Alpha, etc.
• Advantages
• Can run on different processors (Intel, AMD, DEC
  Alpha).
• Can manage more than one processor
  (multiprocessor), multiusers, better networking
  (security).
• The Win2kIntel combo is usually cheaper than a
  UnixWorkstation combo.
• Disadvantages
• It is consumes more system resources. Minimum
  256M of RAM.
• Security Problems.

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Windows XP / 2003 Server

• XP Professional / XP Home / 2003 Server
• A better Windows 2000.
• Advantage
• Better Security.
• Disadvantage
• Need 512M of RAM to run comfortably.

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Mac OS

• Pioneering GUI (user friendly addictive, too).
• Processor Motorola-based. (68000, PowerPC)
• Advantages
• GUI, user-friendly, multitasking, plug-n-play.
• Disadvantages
• Smaller user (application) base, compatibility
  problem (but its changing).

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Unix

• Many variants. ? Linux
• A generic OS that runs on many types of
  processors.
• Processors Numerous, from PC to supercomputer.
• Advantages
• multitasking, multiprocessor support, networking,
  good resource management, everything! Good for
  corporate world, universities, library, research
  labs., CS majors (specific software).
• Disadvantages
• Few business type (generic) software, no
  standard, difficult to learn.

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OS Features

• Hardware Management
• Memory Management
• Disk Management
• Network Connectivity
• Process (Program) Management
• Multitasking
• Process Scheduling
• Security Management

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Memory Management

• Physical Memory
• Virtual Memory use disk space to simulate
  physical memory.
• Can run more programs concurrently.
• Butthrashing will come one day.

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Disk Defragmenter

• Holes will develop on disks overtime.
• Large files will then be placed into
  noncontiguous holes and become fragmented.
• Slower access time.

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Process Management

• Programs/Processes are sharing one single CPU.
• Multitasking gives us the illusion of all
  programs running in parallel.
• Processes can be assigned with priorities.

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Security

• WinXP comes with built in Firewall.
• Internet Explorer (IE) could be set up with
  different security levels.

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Firewall
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ZoneAlarm

• Free wirefall.
• http//www.zonelabs.com

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Cookie?

• For information tracking.

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Spyware

• Ad-Aware
• http//www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
• Spybot
• http//www.safer-networking.org/
• ZoneAlarm?

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Virus Protection

• AVG
• www.grisoft.com