PC Security Fundamentals

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$389

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$599 AUD

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
7121 Students

learn from a security expert who teaches the fundamentals of PC and network security.

What you don't know about PC security really can hurt you! Learn why you're at risk and what you can do to protect your precious personal and business data from the outside world. This course, taught by a security expert, will quickly bring you up to speed on the fundamentals of PC and network security.

You'll understand and explore the many vulnerabilities of operating systems, software, and networks. Then, you'll get into the minds of hackers and crackers, developing an understanding of the exploits they use to access your computer without your knowledge. You'll find out why, where, and how viruses, worms, and blended threats are created. You'll be able to identify and work to prevent DoS, SYN flooding, and other network attacks. You'll learn a safe way to share files and data across the Internet through a virtual private network. And you'll be able to install and configure a firewall to build an impenetrable moat around your computer or network.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In our first lesson, you'll learn the facts--and the myths--about PC security. Then, I'll introduce you to the language of security and explain what you need to know about each acronym. By the end of this lesson, you'll also be able to assess your own risk, whether you're an individual or manage a network of any size. You'll also perform a self-assessment to evaluate just how vulnerable you are to security flaws.

If you ever wondered what technical gurus are speaking about when they talk about LANs, WANs, VPNs, and P2P, you'll find detailed answers in this lesson. Discover the basics of networks and how your PC connects to them.

Most of us don't stop to think about how a Mac can talk to a PC and vice versa. Yet, different types of machines talk to each other on a daily basis across networks. They also talk to printers, fax machines, and a host of other devices. The OSI model for network connections lets you accomplish this, and you'll learn all about it in this lesson. I'll also teach you how, why, and where the weak links of security are in software and operating systems.

Get ready to investigate the world of viruses, worms, and blended threats. You'll learn what they are and the differences between all three. I'll also show you why people create them and where they come from. Of course, all this knowledge will also teach you how to protect yourself and your network from the hackers and crackers of the world.

We’ll introduce you to the ware family in this lesson. Who is the ware family? They are the products that download themselves onto your computer without your consent or knowledge—spyware, scumware, malware, and adware. You'll meet them and learn all about their family traits and values. I'll also show you where they live, places they frequent, and how to remove these unwelcome guests that inhabit your PC.

You may have heard of them: vulnerabilities, exploits, and exposure. But what are they? Have you ever wondered if someone really can control your computer without your knowledge? If you've been pondering these questions lately, then you'll find your answers here, along with priceless information on protecting your computer and your network to keep your business and personal data private.

Have you ever tried to access the Web but received an error saying the page can't be displayed, you aren't connected, or you don't have access? If so, you may have been under an attack! Denial of Service attacks and SYN flooding are two types of network attacks that seem to go unnoticed on personal PCs and small networks. Why? Because beginners don't know what they are, why they're happening, or where they're coming from. After this lesson, you'll no longer be left wondering what happened to your Internet connection.

This lesson will introduce you to firewalls. Join me in this lesson, and you'll soon start building an impenetrable moat around your network.

Now that you have your moat built, it's time to arm up and defend yourself. In this lesson, you'll learn how to configure your firewall and maximize your network security.

You may want to check out this lesson before you grab your laptop and run off to the next Internet café, because what you learn today may surprise you! Laptops and wireless connectivity are the buzzwords of the moment, but these two technologies aren't as secure as they appear. You'll understand why in this lesson.

I'm going to share my love for VPNs with you today. You'll learn what a Virtual Private Network is, how it's different from standard networks, how it works, how to secure it, and how to set up your own. Just think about the possibilities! You can share files with family across the miles by allowing them to connect remotely to your designated shared folders. You can share music files, family pictures, and anything else you choose to give them access to.

Now that you know what's out there, how can you possibly keep on top of security issues? There's so much information out there, how will you know what applies to you? Have no fear, for I'll show you a simple method for staying up-to-date with those security issues that only pertain to you. You'll also learn about emerging security technology, sources to use that will help make the job of managing and securing your network easier, and creating a checklist to keep handy. Finally, you can test yourself against the first security assessment to see how well you've secured your own PC or network.

Debbie Mahler

Debbie Mahler teaches students at college and university level on a wide range of business-related topics. She worked for nearly 15 years in the PC repair business, has a successful online IT business, has written six books, and writes for s... Read more

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Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

What people are saying about our courses

Besides learning a lot of valuable information regarding how to maintain the security of my PC, I also enjoyed the instructor's writing style and especially her positive and friendly attitude! Thanks for a great class!

Verified Student

This course has made my decision to further my interest in pc security for possible future employment. I have learned so much from you these past 6 weeks. I will definitely recommend your course to friends and relatives.

Verified Student

This course was excellent. Every lesson kept me interested. The assignments taught me very useful things to be done on my computer. The material is challenging, and I expect to want to review it many times in the future. The instructor demonstrated that she really knows her stuff!

Verified Student

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The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the PC Security Fundamentals you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

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Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

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PC Security Fundamentals

$599

$389AUD

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CompTIA® Security+ Certification Preparation

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
363 Students

Prepare for the CompTIA® Security+ exam as you review the information you need to pass the test and earn this important certification.

The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts that computer security and related computer-support specialties will be among the fastest-growing occupations through 2018. CompTIA's Security+ certificate is widely regarded as the entry-level certificate for this fast-growing field. Getting that certificate requires passing CompTIA's challenging SY0-301 exam.

This course, the second of two courses, reviews the key terminology and concepts needed to ace the exam, all in a condensed format for rapid reading. The course provides helpful study tools, including crossword puzzles, games, and practice questions to aid your learning. All of the content is geared toward helping you prepare to pass the SY0-301 exam, so you can leave the test center with your Security+ passing score in hand.

Please note that youwill be subject to a CompTIA Security+ renewal process every three years.

We'll start off with a brief review of the Security+ exam and its objectives. Then we'll jump right into talking about access control. Authentication—verifying that a user requesting entry to a system or network is who they claim to be—is the first step in access control, which protects valuable and sensitive resources from unauthorized users and evildoers. In this lesson, we'll explore authentication, as well as its methods, protocols, and devices.

Last time, we talked about the authentication step in access control. In this lesson, we're going to continue our exploration of access control with a closer look at authorization and types of access control. Both of these are extremely important parts of the security policies protecting network resources. We'll take a detailed look at the elements that make up these two processes.

In this lesson, we'll cover the policy and administration of accounts in a secure environment. First, we'll go over the different types of accounts you might work with, including individual accounts and group accounts. Then we'll talk about password policies, which govern how to make passwords as strong as possible, when passwords should expire, and how to deal with lost or forgotten passwords. Lastly, we'll discuss permissions, privileges, and the administrative actions required to minimize vulnerability.

As network administrators, we're constantly managing risk. But what does that really mean? In this lesson, we'll investigate the elements of the risk management process, including vulnerabilities, threats, risks, and likelihood and the methods used to identify, determine, or calculate each. The ultimate goal of risk management is to reduce risk to a level that's acceptable to the system and organization. In this lesson, you'll discover the methods we use to figure out what level of risk is acceptable.

Do you know the differences between penetration testing and vulnerability scanning? When is it best to use each? In this lesson, you'll find out the answers to those questions. We'll take a look at the six phases of the penetration testing process, and you'll find out how vulnerability management works. Then we'll look at methods of software vulnerability testing, including black box, white box, and gray box testing. We'll wrap up the lesson with a discussion of disaster recovery plans and data backup methods.

How do we protect the crucial data that allows our organizations to function day in and day out? That's the question we'll address in this lesson. We'll start with a look at data loss prevention systems, which manage, identify, and protect data in its various states. You'll get acquainted with data encryption applications and hardware-based encryption devices. And we'll cover some considerations for off-site and remote data storage—what should you keep in mind about data when deciding where to store it and back it up? Maintaining your data's integrity and security is incredibly important, so you won't want to miss this lesson.

In Lesson 7, we'll focus on the security of application software. There are a few ways to make applications more secure, including application hardening and careful patch management. We'll see how these work, and we'll take a look at some common application attacks. You'll also see how to make sure the in-house software development process is as secure as you can make it. We'll even look at the ways in which a host computer is secured both internally and externally.

As businesses go global and standard business hours no longer apply, mobile devices are becoming more common in organizational networks. In this lesson, we'll look at the threats mobile devices introduce and the security methods for removing these threats. We'll investigate some internal measures for dealing with mobile devices, including what you can to protect data if a device is lost or stolen. We'll also explore what you should include in external security policies for mobile devices, and you'll see how technologies like mobile biometrics, voice encryption, and GPS tracking can help on the mobile security front. Mobile devices are only getting more essential to both our business and personal lives, so securing them is an increasingly important priority.

If you're working in IT these days, chances are you're working with virtualization in some form. But what exactly is virtualization? In this lesson, we'll build on what you learned about it in the first course. You'll find out how server virtualization works, and we'll explore virtualization software and hardware. You'll also learn how virtualization can benefit an organization, and we'll discuss the particular security concerns that come along with it. We'll finish up with a look at the various types of cloud computing available today.

If you work in network security, being cryptic is just part of the job! Cryptography, or encryption, is what we use to prevent unauthorized people from being able to understand or use intercepted data. In Lesson 10, we'll explore the concepts behind encryption and the primary types of encryption in use. We'll talk about the most common encryption algorithms and ciphers, and you'll learn about the secure transport of encrypted data.

With the Internet so integrated into our everyday lives, we depend on a security and validation system that most of us take for granted: the public key infrastructure (PKI). The PKI protects us, often unknowingly, against people and companies we don't know and may not trust if we did. In this lesson, you'll learn about the PKI and the security elements that work to protect you. We'll also talk about how and why they work.

The CompTIA Security+ exam covers a wide-range of security concepts, topics, terminology, and practices, as well as a bit of hardware and software. In this lesson, which is the last of the two prep courses for the Security+ exam, we'll review the key terms and concepts you'll see on the exam. We'll revisit what you really must know, and I'll give you some final tips for taking a CompTIA exam.

Ron Gilster

Ron Gilster is a best-selling author with more than 40 titles in print. He writes on topics including information technology (IT) certifications, real estate, and business. Ron has held a variety of IT-related positions, ranging from computer oper... Read more

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Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the CompTIA® Security+ Certification Preparation you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.