Threats To Data, Information And Systems - Content

Question 1

What are the four main threats to data, information and systems?

Answer 1

Malware
Hackers
Phishing
Accidental Damage

Question 2

What is malware?

Answer 2

This is software designed to cause harm to your IT system, such as deleting, altering or stealing data.

Question 3

What are hackers?

Answer 3

A person who exploits weaknesses in IT systems in order to gain unauthorised access.
This can be done to steal, alter and delete data from your system.

Question 4

What are ethical hackers?

Answer 4

Employed by companies to test defences and security

Question 5

What is phishing?

Answer 5

A phishing email is one that pretends to be from a reputable company in order to get individuals to reveal personal information.

Question 6

What is accidental damage?

Answer 6

A lot of damage is caused through human error, such as accidentally deleting or overwriting files on a computer, or spilling a drink on a device and damaging it.

Question 7

What are some examples of malware?

Answer 7

Viruses, worms, trojans and spyware are all examples of malware.

Question 8

What are the impacts of threats on individuals?

Answer 8

Identity fraud - the stolen personal information is used to open bank accounts, obtain loans take out mobile phone contracts
Bank fraud - a criminal user gains access to your bank account and uses it to withdraw cash and purchase items.

Question 9

What are the impacts of threats to organisations?

Answer 9

• Loss of reputation - a business affected by any of the issues will lose the confidence of customers, who will turn to other businesses that haven’t been affected.
• Loss of income - during the down time caused by many of these threats, a business will not be able to carry out its normal business practices