Analyzing Facebook Cambridge Analytical Attack and Sony PlayStation Network Outage

IT Security

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Table of Contents
Part A.....................................................................................................................................................2
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................2
Question 1: Facebook Cambridge analytical attack...........................................................................2
Conclusion.........................................................................................................................................4
Question 2: asynchronous I/O activities............................................................................................4
Part B.....................................................................................................................................................5
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................5
Sony PlayStation network outage case..............................................................................................6
What was the problem?................................................................................................................6
Who were affected and how?.......................................................................................................6
How was the attack carried out?...................................................................................................7
What could have been done to prevent the attack?.....................................................................7
Conclusion.........................................................................................................................................8
References.............................................................................................................................................9

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Part A
Introduction
The term security breach is defined as the cyber-threat which impact on the computer
devices and networks. The fundamental concept of security breach breaks the security
of the computer devices by using malware software and enters into the individual’s
peripheral devices for accessing their personal information and data [1]. The key
objective of this study is to examine the principle of computer security breaches and
critically analyse the Facebook Cambridge analytical case
Question 1: Facebook Cambridge analytical attack
It is observed that Facebook is one of the largest social media which is used by many
companies for communicating with users and stakeholders. In the year 2018 Facebook
was suffered from the data breach and cyber-attack related problem due to which
numbers of users lost their private details and information [1]. The researchers and IT
team designed and implemented an application which is called an open graph that
contained the personal information of users along with their friends and family
members. The main problem of this attack was the Cambridge analytia collected the
information and data sets of users and developers implemented an application with less
security due to which numbers of consumers were faced the data breach and security
related issues.
Furthermore, the application also harvested the information of user’s friends due to the
open graph platform. Cambridge analytical obtained personal details of users, for
example, name, address, profile and mobile numbers and used these data in the field of
politics. In the year 2017, it was identified that the personal data of 50 million Facebook
users were harvested by Cambridge analytical [2]. Such kind of data breach problem has
occurred due to lack of security and open graph application implemented by the
Facebook organization. This information was provided by blower Christopher that also
identified that these data were used in Ted Cruz’s campaign and they were responsible
for the defeat of Hillary Clinton. According to the recent investigation, Facebook
Cambridge analytica was occurred due to lack of security and it was a mistake of

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developers that produced the open graph application and he had failed to secure the
data or information of consumers.
It has occurred because the open graph application obtained the personal information
of consumers and also accessed their friend’s profiles. A recent study identified the
more than 50 million users were affected due to this cyber-attack and many companies
were lost their markets and stakeholders [3]. It also affected the value of Facebook
along with their share market and Facebook accounts of consumers. After this cyber-
attack they corporation and government transferred notifications and messages to
users for removing their accounts for devices and also notified them related to the
gathered data and information. The major problem of this attack was that victims
obtained the personal details of users without their permission and developers
developed the less efficient website. It is observed that a fine of £500,000 was forced on
Facebook by the ICO for the failure of the administration to control and maintain
transparency and privacy of consumer’s data and profiles.
Moreover, Facebook is one of the biggest platforms which produce a profit of $500000
in each five and a half minute but this is the largest fine that can be applied by
information commissioner’s office on third parties [4]. Recent investigation has
identified that in September 2018, Facebook was included in another scandal where
hackers and criminals stole login data of over 50 million users. There are several
possible solutions that used by Facebook for improving security of computer devices
and reducing security breaches, for example, blocked open graph platform, changed the
entire security and network devices, sent notification to users for improving the
security of user’s accounts, developers suggested users adopt the high level security
password and biometric systems.
By using all these steps and techniques Facebook secured networks and accounts of
other users and also identified the risk factors linked with this cyber-crime. Therefore, it
is suggested that users should ensure that they use their accounts in only authentic
servers and networks and avoid the use of third party application because they are
developed by hackers for obtaining their private details [5]. There are several steps
developed and implemented by Facebook for analysing the Cambridge analytica case