SECTION 6: Cyber Security

Question 1

What is malware?

Answer 1

Malicious software designed to harm or exploit devices or data.

Question 2

What is a virus?

Answer 2

Malware that attaches to files and spreads when opened.

Question 3

What is a worm?

Answer 3

Malware that self-replicates and spreads through networks.

Question 4

What is a Trojan?

Answer 4

Malware disguised as legitimate software.

Question 5

What is ransomware?

Answer 5

Malware that locks data and demands payment to unlock it.

Question 6

What is spyware?

Answer 6

Malware that secretly records user activity.

Question 7

What is social engineering?

Answer 7

Tricking people into giving away confidential information.

Question 8

What is phishing?

Answer 8

Fraudulent emails or messages designed to steal information.

Question 9

What is shouldering (shoulder surfing)?

Answer 9

Watching someone enter their PIN or password.

Question 10

What is blagging (pretexting)?

Answer 10

Inventing a false scenario to obtain private information.

Question 11

What is brute force attack?

Answer 11

Trying many different passwords or PINs until one works.

Question 12

What is a denial of service (DoS) attack?

Answer 12

Flooding a network or server with traffic to crash it.

Question 13

What is data interception and theft?

Answer 13

Capturing data as it travels across a network.

Question 14

What is SQL injection?

Answer 14

Inserting malicious SQL commands into input fields to access or change a database.

Question 15

What is penetration testing?

Answer 15

Simulated attacks to find and fix vulnerabilities in systems.

Question 16

What is network forensics?

Answer 16

Monitoring and analysing network traffic to detect threats.

Question 17

What is anti-malware software?

Answer 17

Software designed to detect and remove malware.

Question 18

What is a firewall?

Answer 18

Software or hardware that blocks unauthorised access to or from a network.

Question 19

What is user access control?

Answer 19

Restricting access to files or systems based on user roles or privileges.

Question 20

What is password protection?

Answer 20

Using secure, unique passwords to prevent unauthorised access.

Question 21

What is encryption?

Answer 21

Scrambling data so it cannot be read without a key.

Question 22

What is physical security?

Answer 22

Preventing unauthorised physical access to systems (e.g. locks, CCTV).

Question 23

What are ethical issues in computing?

Answer 23

Issues about right and wrong use of technology (e.g. surveillance, AI).

Question 24

What are legal issues in computing?

Answer 24

Issues involving laws (e.g. copyright, data protection).

Question 25

What are environmental issues in computing?

Answer 25

Impacts on the environment (e.g. e-waste, energy use).

Question 26

What are cultural issues in computing?

Answer 26

How technology affects cultures and societies (e.g. access to tech, social media effects).

Question 27

What is the purpose of the Data Protection Act (2018)?

Answer 27

Protects personal data; gives people control over how it’s used.

Question 28

What is the purpose of the Computer Misuse Act (1990)?

Answer 28

Prevents unauthorised access to or modification of data.

Question 29

What is the Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)?

Answer 29

Protects the creators of original work from illegal copying or use.

Question 30

What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act (2000)?

Answer 30

Gives the public access to data held by public organisations.

Question 31

What is the purpose of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000)?

Answer 31

Governs the surveillance and investigation of communication by authorities.

Question 32

What is adware?

Answer 32

Malware that shows unwanted ads to generate revenue.

Question 33

What is rootkit malware?

Answer 33

Malware that gives admin-level access to hackers.

Question 34

One way to prevent phishing?

Answer 34

Don’t click suspicious links; check sender address.

Question 35

One way to prevent shouldering?

Answer 35

Cover screen or keypad when typing sensitive info.

Question 36

One way to protect against brute force attacks?

Answer 36

Limit login attempts and use CAPTCHA.

Question 37

What is a DDoS attack?

Answer 37

Distributed DoS – uses multiple devices to flood a network.

Question 38

What is heuristic analysis in anti-malware?

Answer 38

Detects new/unknown threats by analysing behaviour.

Question 39

What is white-box testing?

Answer 39

Tester has full knowledge of system.

Question 40

What is black-box testing?

Answer 40

Tester has no prior knowledge – like a real attacker.

Question 41

What is a key in encryption?

Answer 41

A string used to lock (encrypt) or unlock (decrypt) data.

Question 42

What is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption?

Answer 42

Symmetric uses one key; asymmetric uses public and private keys.

Question 43

Give 2 ways tech affects the environment.

Answer 43

Uses lots of energy; creates electronic waste (e-waste).

Question 44

What is meant by sustainability in computing?

Answer 44

Reducing energy use and waste in tech design and use.

Question 45

Give an ethical issue in AI.

Answer 45

Bias in algorithms leading to unfair outcomes.

Question 46

Give an ethical issue in surveillance.

Answer 46

Loss of privacy

Question 47

Illegal copying/distribution of software.

Answer 47

Creations of the mind (e.g. music, software) protected by copyright law.

Question 48

What is software piracy?

Answer 48

Illegal copying/distribution of software.