What computer course should I major in if I want to have the following skills?

[User8897]

1) Being able to detect new spyware,malware that anti spyware cannot yet detect? And create my own anti spyware?



2) Being able to tell if a link to a website is malicious or not.



3) Mastering the use of intrusion detection systems and intusion prevention systems.

 

[Endymio]

Well, courses and majors are two different things. Some colleges offer cybersecurity classes within a CS or MIS degree; some others have actual cybersecurity degree programs. There are also (often non-accredited) educational institutions that offer cybersecurity certificates. I wouldn't recommend any of those, however.

 

[User8897]

Well, courses and majors are two different things. Some colleges offer cybersecurity classes within a CS or MIS degree; some others have actual cybersecurity degree programs. There are also (often non-accredited) educational institutions that offer cybersecurity certificates. I wouldn't recommend any of those, however.

I mean university majors. Which one should I take? I heard that computer science graduates can make anti virus software which is similar to anti spyware . But I also read that to make such programs you need to know how to code and cyber security students don't code much. So I am a bit confused. To obtain these skills should I take computer science or cyber security ?

 

[Endymio]

You're correct that cybersecurity specialists don't typically write much code. If you want to write software, you want a CS degree. But universities offer 'tracks' or specializations within that degree. You can get a CS degree with a security specialization which should give you what you want. It's hard to be more specific without knowing which universities you're considering, but an advisor there can give you more detailed information.