Unauthorized Access Analysis

Topic area	Unauthorized Access (Intrusion)
Target audience	Computer Science Majors and Minors
Activity type	Reading articles provided, filling worksheet, class discussion.
Time required	Reading of articles: 30 minutes Checking out the references: 20 minutes Class discussion: 20 minutes Filling worksheet: 10 minutes
Attachments	Worksheet
Articles Provided	"FBI tracks down student who used computer to access government files" Boston Globe and Nando.net, March 30, 1996 http://www.nando.net/newsroom/ntn/info/033096/info1_11416.html "Judge Refuses Mitnick's Plea to Use Computer " Los Angeles Times, March 31, 1998. http://kevinmitnick.com/archives.html "Hackers target more federal computers" CNNI, June 1, 1999 http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9906/01/hackers/index.html
Background needed to complete the assignment	Students are to be given articles describing intruders and inrusion. No particular knowledge / skills are needed.
References	"Tripwire(tm) 2.0 for Red Hat Linux Now Free" in http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue40/issue40.html http://www.aracnet.com/~gtr/archive/intrusions.html http://www.nswc.navy.mil/ISSEC/CID/step.htm http://www.eff.org/pub/Legal/scda_cracking_investigation.paper
Last modified	August 1999

Abstract:

The articles given in the reading assignment discuss two persons who intruded into computers. One of these persons used the intrusion to commit more crimes whereas the other person did it appreantly for no obvious goals. These articles were selected to let the students know how unauthorized access can turn people into criminals. The references show that it is not difficult to detect intrusion due to newer and better methods that are available free. One of the reference articles also shows that intruder can be taken to the court and there is guidance available on how to develop the case against the intruder.

Goals for the activity:

Establish the meaning of unauthorized access
Let the students know that unauthorized access is not fun but it is morally wrong, a serious crime and can put one behind bars

Knowledge / skills / attitudes to be developed (behavioral objectives):

To get to know why unauthorized access occurs
To establish the fact that unauthorized access is morally wrong activity
To develop an understanding of scope and impact of unauthorized access
To determine the course of action against intruders

Procedure:

Read both articles.
Glance through the references
Participate in the discussion on the subject, that will follow.
Fill the worksheet

Assessing outcomes:
The students will be graded for their participation in this exercise. Inconsistent worksheet responses will be detected and lowered in weight. Participation in class discussion is encouraged and rewarded as extra points.

Additional remarks:
None.

Author contact information:
Junaid Ahmed Zubairi
SUNY College at Fredonia
Fredonia, NY 14063
zubairi@cs.fredonia.edu

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