Question

One of the most pressing problems in high-technology industries is computer security. Computer security is typically achieved by use of a password, a collection of symbols that must be supplied by the user before the computer permits access to the account. The problem is that persistent hackers can create programs that enter millions of combinations of symbols into a target system until the correct password is found. So the hypotheses are: Ho: The proposed user is authorized Ha: The proposed user is unauthorized

A. Define a Type I error and Type II error for this test.

B. Which is the more serious error? Why?

Answer 1

Null hypothesis: Ho: The proposed user is authorized

Alternative hypothesis: Ha: The proposed user is unauthorized

A)

Type I error is the rejection of a true null hypothesis. Thus, user will not be autorised even if he should be is type I error for this test

Type II error is the failure of rejecting a false null hypothesis. Thus, Even if the user is not proposed user he will be authorised is type II error for this test

B)

Type II error is more serious error as it will authorise the user even if the user is not the proposed user.