COSC240 • Operating Systems

Week 12: Operating System Security & Protection

Investigate operating system security environments, access control lists, capability lists, hardware protection rings, and vulnerability containment.

📚 What You Will Learn
  • Core architectural mechanics and low-level data structures.
  • Kernel operational states, hardware interrupts, and protection boundaries.
  • Theoretical trade-offs, performance implications, and industry standards.
✅ What You Should Do
  • Review lecture notes and assigned textbook chapters.
  • Explore interactive pedagogical steppers and simulation modules.
  • Complete weekly tutorials, practical lab assignments, and review quizzes.
📂 Course Modules & Deep-Dive Texts
Module 01

Protection Domains & Access Matrices

Examine protection domains, access control lists (ACLs), capability lists, and reference monitor design.

Protection DomainACLCapabilitiesReference Monitor
Module Overview →
Module 02

Hardware Protection & Rings

Master CPU privilege rings (Ring 0 to Ring 3), system call gates, and hardware virtualization separation.

Privilege RingsSystem GateVirtualizationIsolation
Module Overview →
Module 03

Security Vulnerabilities & Containment

Analyze buffer overflows, stack smashing, privilege escalation, sandboxing, and modern exploit mitigation.

Buffer OverflowStack SmashingSandboxingASLR/DEP
Module Overview →