Security incidents resulting from human error or subversive actions have caused major financial losses, reduced business productivity or efficiency, and threatened national security. Some research suggests that information system security frameworks lack emphasis on human involvement as a significant cause for security problems in a rapidly…

Computerized adaptive testing is subject to security problems, as the item bank content remains operative over long periods and administration time is flexible for examinees. Spreading the content of a part of the item bank could lead to an overestimation of the examinees' trait level. The most common way of reducing this risk is to impose a…

Provides rules for protecting computers from viruses, Trojan horses, or worms. Topics include purchasing commercial antivirus programs and keeping them updated; updating virus definitions weekly; precautions before opening attached files; macro virus protection in Microsoft Word; and precautions with executable files. (LRW)

Targeted email attacks to enable computer network exploitation have become more prevalent, more insidious, and more widely documented in recent years. Beyond nuisance spam or phishing designed to trick users into revealing personal information, targeted malicious email (TME) facilitates computer network exploitation and the gathering of sensitive…

Wireless connectivity in schools is all the rage, and many school systems have at least gotten their feet wet with a wireless lab or a few portable laptop carts. But Bijaya Devkota, the chief information officer of Charles County Public Schools, has done what many school systems only dream of--implemented universal wireless access throughout his…

Imagine showing cops and robbers the blueprints to the campus. Then, letting them keep the detailed blueprints to review--over and over again--at their leisure. The robbers would memorize every nuance of the campus layout, and at some point, they'd likely plan a break-in. But on the flip side, the cops would identify security weaknesses--and help…

An inexpensive device to assist in teaching the main ideas of Public Key encryption and its use in class to illustrate the operation of public key encryption is described. It illustrates that there are two keys, and is particularly useful for illustrating that privacy is achieved by using the public key. Initial data from in class use seem to…

Information systems educators must balance the need to protect the stability, availability, and security of computer laboratories with the learning objectives of various courses. In advanced courses where students need to install, configure, and otherwise manipulate application and operating system settings, this is especially problematic as these…

This article discusses the development and use of an on-line portfolio process. It presents a background rationale for the need and effectiveness of a communication tool that supports the use of the portfolio process throughout the education of a child with identified disabilities. The process for developing the individualized Web page is…

The purpose of this study is to discuss the ethical issues in education in terms of teachers, students, schools, and software companies. Recent growth of the internet and World Wide Web allows new developments in the way instructors transfer knowledge to their students. Technology is a new tool in education that constantly changes and offers new…

The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of attributes of clothing retailers' Internet websites in relation to previous and intended future purchase from the websites. Survey data from 414 U.S. college students, non-married and aged 18-22 with online clothing shopping experience and favorite clothing websites were used. Five clothing…

Considers how to provide appropriate levels of information technology (IT) security in the higher education environment. Discusses implications of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the USA Patriot Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, California Information Practices Act, VISA USA Cardholder Information Security…

Discusses issues of security for school computer networks, including protection against viruses and hackers. (EV)

Imagine a completely wireless school, an open network in which all students and staff can roam around using laptops or handheld computers to browse the Internet, access files and applications on the school server, and communicate with each other and the world via e-mail. It's a great picture--and at some schools the future is already here. But…

It used to be that Internet threats were aimed at disabling their targets. The most common payload of yesterday's viruses, worms and other malicious code either caused system instability or, perhaps, deleted certain files. In many cases, these threats announced their arrival by flashing messages on the computer screen or causing some other…