Topic 6: Cyberspace, Network Security and Data Transfer

Question 1

What is Cyberspace

Answer 1

Cyberspace is a worldwide network of computers.

Question 2

What is Cybercrime

Answer 2

Cybercrime is defined as using a computer to commit crime via the
internet. It can include planting viruses, theft of personal information, stealing
money from credit cards and theft of company data that could be sold to competitors

Question 3

Hacking

Answer 3

Gaining unauthorised access with the intention of corrupting
data or to steal data.

Question 4

Pornography

Answer 4

Pornography is often used as a means of hiding malware.
When an employee downloads adult content they are
increasing the risk of organisation data being corrupted by a
virus or stolen by an unauthorised user.

Question 5

Cyber stalking

Answer 5

Where individuals use technology to harass others, for
example by sending inappropriate emails or making comments
on social media.

Question 6

Data theft

Answer 6

The theft of customer records to obtain personal details which
are then used to commit identity fraud, such as credit card or
passport applications.

Question 7

Digital forgery

Answer 7

Intentionally and falsely altering digital content, such as
pictures and documents. For example, changing a passport
photograph/name to sell to a criminal.

Question 8

Cyber
defamation

Answer 8

Use of a digital communication application to distribute
damaging information about a user (2018).

Question 9

Spamming

Answer 9

Use of a digital communication application to overload the user’s inbox with unwanted content

Question 10

Phishing

Answer 10

Use of a digital communication application to obtain
personal information from users.

Question 11

What is Malware

Answer 11

 Malicious software that is downloaded onto a computer unintentionally.
 Via the internet from email attachments.
 By connecting a portable storage device such as a USB storage device.

Question 12

What is a Hacker

Answer 12

Definition: Hacker is a term used to describe a person who gains unauthorised
access to a computer system.

Question 13

What is a Virus

Answer 13

A virus is a software which is designed to damage a computer
system.

Question 14

How are viruses spread

Answer 14

Viruses are spread through
infected portable storage devices, email attachments and the internet

Question 15

Worms

Answer 15

Worms spread/replicates itself around computer/network
 Does not need to be attached to a file/does not need a host file to cause
damage to data
 Attaches to data being transmitted.
 Can slow down data transmission/network .
 It takes up hard drive storage space/memory space .
 Examples: delete files/sends emails/damages files

Question 16

Trojan Horse

Answer 16

 A program used by hackers to try to gain access to users’ systems
 Example of damage, such as deleting data files

Question 17

What is a Key Logger, why is it a security risk too

Answer 17

A Key Logger is a type of spyware which will record every keystroke that a
user carries out and sends it secretly across the internet

This is a security risk
when buying products or services online, as credit card details and passwords can be captured

Question 18

What is Spyware

Answer 18

is software that allows the user to gain information about another
person’s computer activity e.g. passwords, bank and credit card details

Question 19

Encryption meaning

Answer 19

Special software is used to encode/scramble data before transmission, using
an encryption key.

Question 20

Characteristics of a good password

Answer 20

 Mixture of letters/numbers/special characters/upper and lower case.
 Kept confidential/Not a recognisable term/ word/ not easily guessed.
 Reference to a minimum length. For example, must be at least 8 characters’
long.
 Impossible to guess.

Question 21

How Access Levels can help protect data on a network

Answer 21

 User activities are limited by levels of access.
 Access rights/levels can be classified as ‘read only’/’read and copy’/’read and
write’.
 Data files can be allocated access rights/levels/require access privileges for
access.
 Example: School pupils, teachers and the Network Manager have different
levels of access. In Shared Resources pupils have read/copy access while
staff have read/write access.

Question 22

How Access Levels can help prevent data theft on a network

Answer 22

 Ensures authorised users have correct access.
 Prevents unauthorised users from accessing data.
 Suitable example – read only or suitable role e.g. Pupil.

Question 23

What is Backup

Answer 23

A copy of data in case the original version is lost or damaged

Question 24

What is firewall

Answer 24

are used to control traffic over a network and any networks connected to it.
They can be software or hardware-based and essentially act as a barrier, designed to
block unauthorised access whilst allowing outward communication.

Question 25

Firewalls can do what

Answer 25

Prevent unauthorised access (hackers) to the network.
 Prevent spam and viruses from entering the network.
 Stop upload/download of unauthorised data/ controls/ monitors data entering/
leaving the network.
 Provide information on unauthorised access.

Question 26

How firewalls protect a network

Answer 26

 Monitors/controls incoming/outgoing data.
 Filters data/prevents data being hacked.
 Based on rules.

Question 27

Definition Protocol Purpose

Answer 27

Allows hardware devices made by manufacturers to communicate.

Question 28

Definition Protocol Role:

Answer 28

A set of rules to allow communication between two
different communication systems

Question 29

FTP - File Transfer
Protocol

Answer 29

Allows users to send and receive files over the internet.

Question 30

HTTP - Hyper Text
Transfer Protocol

Answer 30

When a user enters a URL into the address bar of the browser, this protocol
sends a command to the web browser to request the required
webpage. If a webpage cannot be located (eg. because it has
been deleted) HTTP will report an error eg. ‘404 File Not
Found’.

Question 31

HTTPS - Hyper
Text Transfer
Protocol Secure

Answer 31

Its purpose is to enable the user to safely use the
internet to stop user files being corrupted/deleted eg.
when using online banking

Question 32

SET - Secure
Electronic
Transaction

Answer 32

This is a protocol used by Visa and MasterCard designed to
make online purchases much more secure for card users.