Spyware and Bots

What I know before researching:
- consists of programs and softwares that monitor your activity and/or information without damaging your devices

Questions for the topic
- what can spyware do specifically?
- in what forms is spyware? codes? programs?


http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/spyware-whatis.aspx
http://www.mobistealth.com/iphone-spy
wikipedia



- most spyware is equipped with firewalls and protection to make them hard to remove
- spyware is hard to install on other computers and for information gathering, it is mostly placed from the inside of the computer, not by an external route
- spyware is not only for computers. There are now apps to install in mobile devices where you set up a destination for the monitoring to go
- spyware is used by companies to monitor company provided devices and ensure proper use. Also by parents concerned for their children´s technology use and even by law enforcement to get information on suspects
- It is now open to that public to download on personal devices, using them for personal monitoring and securing personal information
- Many programs against spyware like antivirus but for spyware exist.

These may relate to my life beacuse someone may try to use spyware on me and now I know how to prevent that, as well as how to use it on someone. hahaha

Is there really an ultimate security provider against spyware?

Linux

Before my research, I know that Linux is a computer operating system, Nothing more.

I want to learn:

What makes Linux special/different?
Who uses Linux?
On what does Linux specialize?
What is it preferable for?
Who invented it?

Linux HomePage

Linux Application Center

(wikipedia)

- It was released on October 5th,1991 with the idea of launching a free and fast computer system that operated on intel x86 personal computers at first only

- it was invented by Linus Torvalds
- Linux has been recognized around the world as the fastest operating system in the present.
- It has been ported to many much more platforms for operation in the last ten years. For example, android runs on a linux base called linux kernel
- It is the leading operating system in the world for proxy servers, big iron systems, supercomputers and mainframe computers.
- Fun fact: the 10 fastest computers in the world run on Linux
- Linux is completely free and can be downloaded straight from the web!



Linux relates to me because I have always wanted to try it. Several of my friends have seen and experiences linux in action and I would want that opportunity to test it and have the worlds best computer operating system under my command,


Why make such a goldmine free? Who and why had the idea to make something so great specially with the mentality of making it free of charge?

Biometric Security

Biometric Security:

What do you know about the topic before researching it?
- I think it is the security scans that work with fingerprints.

How does it work?
What does it actually read?
What is biometric?
Who invented it?

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/technology-article.asp?artnum=10
http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technology-Article.asp?ArtNum=12
http://www.findbiometrics.com/biometrics-security/

• Biometric information includes weight, height, hair color, eye color, etc.
• Fingerprint identification: Your fingers develop bumps when you are in the fourth month of fetal development. these create a map on your fingers that are each unique. You do age and they become larger, however they are the same. Fingerprint scanners read the distance and pattern of each bump.
• Hand Geometry: the measurement and comparison of each detail in the hand.
• Retina Scan: retina scans analyze the patterns in veins in the back of the eye which remain the same throughout your life. It uses a low density light to capture these patterns. 
• Iris Scan: provides an analyses of the rings, furrows and freckles that surround the pupil of the eye. 

Overall, there are many ways to use biometric scanning. It is said to be one of the most advanced security systems in the world, since your unique body marks are almost impossible to fake. This security system forms part of my life since CNG is now implementing biometric security with fingerprint scanners to register entires and departures from the school. The system is still not active but it will be shortly. 

Finally, I would still like to learn: How was biometric security first used?