Case Study2

In a multiprogramming and time-sharing environment, several users share the system simultaneously. This situation can result in various security problems. Name at least two of these problems. Can we ensure the same degree of security in a time-share machine as we have in a dedicated machine? Explain your answer ...

Time sharing is a way of sharing out computer facilities between a number of people who want to use the computer at the same time. Each has a separate terminal and gets the impression that they have sole use of the computer with their own 'account'. Whereas multiprogramming is a term used to describe how a computer can run more than one application at the same time by dividing up its memory.

There are several users share the system simultaneously and with this situation it result in a various security problems such as stealing or copying of other files, this usually happen in multiprogramming and time-sharing environment, in most cases the user’s files was being over written by other users, and in this situation will lead to stealing or copying of files which greatly affects many users and because of that it create a negative impact in all other users who have their original files taken by others to engage in a multiprogramming and time-sharing environment. They believe that once your file were found by other users they will directly copy it and even without your permission that is why most of the users were very vigilant when it comes to this particular machine. And also the ability of the virus to enter in a specific files which causes the files to be damage. And other security problem is by using system resources without proper accounting basically when the system resources such as CPU and disk space are not properly accounted it causes the printer to mix output by sending data while some other user’s file is printing. This thing may result to scrambling of mix  output which cases the users to have an unfamiliar data or output and most probably the user will find it difficult in compiling his/her mixed outputs again and that will l lead him/her hard time in working with it.  

            We cannot ensure the same degree of security in a time-share machine as we have in a dedicated machine because in a time-share machine it is not safe to use all files that you’ve worked for is not permanently secured and there is a tendency that it might be copied by other users when found  .and it talks about the degree of security dedicated machine is more reliable because not all users can enter on it in return they don’t have the chance to change any files so it is so applicable to anyone.  And it cause also further damage on the files and other important programs if you don’t take it seriously. While in a dedicated machine not all files but most files were secured from being copied by the other users and because it is dedicated machine it is not virus prone so there is no need to worry with regards to virus. A dedicated machine is a computer that services one primary function or task.

.