Ayo Secu

Do not Blame the UserThe principle of “Do not blame the user” emphasizes that the responsibility for maintaining security lies with the system and its designers, not with the end users. Security should empower and protect users by creating systems that are intuitive, resilient, and trustworthy, instead of punishing or blaming individuals for mistakes or failures in security practices.1. Why Blam..

Insecure by Exception“Insecure by exception” refers to the practice of making deliberate exceptions to security policies or controls to enable certain activities necessary for a job or task. While exceptions can be necessary to maintain productivity or meet operational needs, they introduce vulnerabilities or weaken security in specific areas. The challenge lies in managing these exceptions effe..

Mandatory Access Control (MAC)Mandatory Access Control (MAC) is a security model that enforces strict access control policies determined by a central authority. Unlike discretionary access control (DAC), where users or resource owners determine access permissions, MAC is managed system-wide and based on predefined rules.1. What is MAC?Definition: MAC is a method of regulating access to resources..

EncryptionEncrypting software and firmware components is a security practice used to protect these critical assets from unauthorized access, reverse engineering, tampering, and malicious exploitation. This ensures confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity throughout the software or firmware lifecycle.1. Why Encrypt Software and Firmware?Protect Intellectual Property (IP): Encryption safeguard..

Compiler Security FeaturesModern compilers incorporate various security features to mitigate vulnerabilities during the software development process. One notable feature is their ability to detect and handle buffer overruns at compile time or runtime, which are common vulnerabilities exploited in attacks like stack smashing or heap corruption.1. Buffer Overrun VulnerabilitiesDefinition: A buffer..

Code SigningCode signing is a cryptographic process that ensures the authenticity and integrity of software by digitally signing it with a certificate issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). It provides assurance that the code comes from a verified publisher and has not been tampered with after it was signed.1. Purpose of Code SigningAuthenticity: Verifies the identity of the software pu..

Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)The Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) is a fundamental security concept that involves granting users, applications, and processes the minimum level of access required to perform their tasks. By limiting privileges, PoLP reduces the attack surface and minimizes the potential impact of security vulnerabilities.1. Key Features of PoLPMinimal Access: Assign only ..

Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR)Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) is a security technique used to randomize the memory address space of a program during runtime, making it more difficult for attackers to predict the location of specific instructions or data. ASLR is a key defense mechanism against memory-based attacks, such as buffer overflows and return-oriented programming (RO..

Data Execution Prevention (DEP)Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature implemented in modern operating systems to prevent malicious code from executing in certain areas of memory that should only contain non-executable data. It serves as a protection mechanism against common exploits, such as buffer overflow attacks.1. How DEP WorksExecutable vs. Non-Executable MemoryDEP marks cert..

PatchingPatching refers to the process of applying updates to software, firmware, or systems to fix known vulnerabilities, improve functionality, or enhance security. Patches are crucial for maintaining a secure and stable IT environment, as they address weaknesses that attackers could exploit.1. What is a Patch?Definition: A patch is a piece of code provided by software vendors or developers to..