COMP 3261: Internet and Security Issues
This course presents the most practical of Internet/Intranet technologies and techniques to students. It covers Internet protocols, addressing and architecture, Intranet and Extranet design, installation and management, as well as all aspects of Internet/Intranet security and user/data authentication.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify and classify particular examples of attacks.
- Classify computer network vulnerabilities and types of attacks.
- Define security goals and their meanings.
- Explain useful tools commonly used by an attacker.
- Explain common techniques used for launching the Denial of Service and Distributed Denial of Service attacks, as well as techniques to prevent them.
- Explain the characteristics of viruses, worms and malware.
- Explain the basic concepts and techniques for protecting and designing a private network.
- Identify types of firewall implementation suitable for differing security requirements.
- Apply and explain simple filtering rules based on IP and TCP header information.
- Distinguish between firewalls based on packet-filtering routers, application level gateways and circuit-level gateways.
- Compare and contrast symmetric and asymmetric encryption systems and their vulnerability to attack, and explain the characteristics of hybrid systems.
- Explain what is meant by data integrity, and give reasons for its importance.
- Describe the use of hash functions, and explain the characteristics of one-way and collision-free functions.
- Explain the role of third-party agents in the provision of authentication services.
- Explain some widely-used techniques and protocols for secure communications.
- Discuss the effectiveness of passwords in access control and the influence of human behaviour.
- Be aware of future trends in the field of network security.
Course topics
- Unit 1--Introduction to Network Security
- Unit 2--Securing the Networks using Firewalls
- Unit 3--Securing the Data Transaction: Cryptography
- Unit 4--Securing the Data Transaction: Digital Signature, Security Protocols and Virtual Private Networks
- Unit 5--Web-based Security Issues and Emerging Areas of Network Security
Required text and materials
Stallings, W. Cryptography and network security: Principles and practice . (7th ed.). Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, (2017).
Type: ISBN: 978-0-13-444428-4
Assessments
Please be aware that due to COVID-19 safety guidelines all in-person exams have been suspended. As such, all final exams are currently being delivered through ProctorU, which has an approximate fee of $35 involved. There will be more information in your course shell, on how to apply, if your course has a final exam.
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher in the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory Final Exam.
| Assignment 1: Network Security | 10% |
| Assignment 2: Firewalls | 10% |
| Assignment 3: Cryptography | 10% |
| Assignment 4: Securing Data Transactions | 10% |
| Assignment 5: Web-based Security and Biometric Authentication | 10% |
| Final Exam* | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
* Mandatory
Open Learning Faculty Member
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of your course.