Suggested preparation: Programming, operating systems and computer-network fundamentals.
Optional preparation: Free IT Security Course: Networks and Access Control.
About this course
Analyze computer security through threat models, isolation, network defenses and authentication. The lectures connect system design with the assumptions that determine whether a protection is effective.
Topics and lesson examples
- 1. Introduction, Threat Models
- 7. Sandboxing Native Code
- 12. Network Security
- 17. User Authentication
- 23. Security Economics
Course at a glance
| Provider | MIT |
|---|---|
| Platform | YouTube · MIT OpenCourseWare |
| Access | Free Video |
| Level | Professional — WikiFree study-level assessment |
| Language | English |
| Available lessons | 22 |
| Video duration | 29h 44m · self-paced |
| Details checked | 10 October 2026 |
Preparation and study approach
Suggested preparation: Programming, operating systems and computer-network fundamentals.
Follow the available videos in sequence, pausing to summarize the main argument or reconstruct a worked example. Keep a short list of assumptions, unfamiliar terms and questions to revisit. Additional reading, problem solving and practice will take time beyond the listed video duration.
Using this video classroom
Select a lesson from the list, or search for a topic. Previous and Next move through the sequence. You can mark lessons complete; progress is stored in this browser without a WikiFree account.
Free access and course scope
The public MIT OpenCourseWare videos in this classroom are free to watch. This listing provides the available playlist recordings, which may include selected lectures, recitations, demonstrations or supporting discussions rather than every component of the original campus course. Textbooks, equipment, software licenses, supervised labs, graded assignments and instructor feedback are not supplied by WikiFree. No purchase is required to watch the videos or use the note-based study approach above.
WikiFree independently organizes these resources for self-paced study. Watching does not award an MIT certificate, academic credit or admission to MIT.
Video provider and credit: MIT OpenCourseWare on YouTube. WikiFree titles, descriptions and cover artwork are independently prepared.
Related courses for your next step
- Review a lower-level optionFree IT Security Course: Networks and Access Control
Focus: Distinguish authentication, authorization, and accounting · Understand introductory cryptography and hashing concepts
Intermediate - Review a lower-level optionGoogle Threat Intelligence: Free Security Training Course
Focus: Threat intelligence literacy · Indicator enrichment awareness
Intermediate - Review a lower-level optionGoogle Introduction to Security in the World of AI: Free Course
Focus: AI system awareness · Data-flow questions
Beginner
Compare course focus, level and study time
| Course | Level | Focus | Study time |
|---|---|---|---|
| This course — Free MIT Course: Computer Systems Security | Professional | 1. Introduction, Threat Models · 7. Sandboxing Native Code · 12. Network Security | 29h 44m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free IT Security Course: Networks and Access Control | Intermediate | Distinguish authentication, authorization, and accounting · Understand introductory cryptography and hashing concepts · Connect network hardening with layered defensive controls | 5h 18m of video; practice time is additional |
| Google Threat Intelligence: Free Security Training Course | Intermediate | Threat intelligence literacy · Indicator enrichment awareness · Investigation planning | 8 hours; official estimated study time, individual pace varies. |
| Google Introduction to Security in the World of AI: Free Course | Beginner | AI system awareness · Data-flow questions · Security-risk framing | Google estimated course length: one hour; individual study pace varies. |
Provider: MIT. Videos play from the MIT OpenCourseWare channel on YouTube.
Report a correction
Questions & discussion
Share a useful question or correction. Comments appear after moderation. Please avoid personal or sensitive information.