Operating systems (OS) are prone to various security threats that can jeopardize the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system and its data.
Below are some of the key security problems faced by OS:
1.) Vulnerabilities
- Vulnerabilities are weaknesses or flaws in an operating system that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access, execute malicious actions, or disrupt system functionality.
2.) Malware
- Malware (malicious software) refers to software designed to harm, exploit, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.
3.) Privilege Escalation
- Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker gains higher privileges than they were originally assigned, such as gaining administrative or root access to an operating system.
4.) Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
- A Denial of Service (DoS) attack involves overwhelming an operating system or network with excessive traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
5.) Data Breaches
- Data breaches involve unauthorized access to sensitive or personal data stored on an operating system. Attackers can steal, expose, or misuse this information, leading to privacy violations and financial loss.
6.) Insecure Configuration
- Insecure configuration refers to improper or insufficient configuration settings in an operating system that can lead to security vulnerabilities. Default settings, open ports, weak passwords, and unnecessary services can all pose security risks.
7.) Lack of Updates/Patches
- Operating systems require regular updates and patches to fix known vulnerabilities, improve performance, and add new features. A lack of updates or delayed patching leaves systems vulnerable to attacks that exploit known weaknesses.
8.) Insufficient Access Control
- Access control ensures that only authorized users and processes can access specific resources on an operating system. Insufficient access control can lead to unauthorized access, data leaks, or modifications to sensitive data.
9.) Social Engineering
- Social engineering is a manipulation technique used by attackers to deceive individuals into revealing confidential information or performing actions that compromise the security of a system.
