Malware, social engineering and brute-force attacks

Overview

Viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware and spyware, social engineering, phishing and blagging, people as the weak point, and brute-force attacks with worked password combinations.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   State three threats that an attack can pose to a computer system.

   Model answer

   An attack can steal confidential or personal data. An attack can corrupt or delete files. An attack can stop a system working, costing the owner money and reputation.

2. 2

   Define the term malware.

   Model answer

   Malware is malicious software written to damage, disrupt or gain unauthorised access to a computer system. Malware is usually installed without the user's knowledge.

3. 3

   What is a computer virus?

   Model answer

   A virus is malware that attaches itself to a program or file. A virus spreads when the infected file is run or shared, and can corrupt or delete data.

4. 4

   How does a worm differ from a virus?

   Model answer

   A worm copies itself and spreads across a network on its own. A worm needs no host file and no action from the user.

5. 5

   What is a trojan?

   Model answer

   A trojan is malware disguised as useful or legitimate software. The user installs the trojan willingly, and the hidden code then carries out harmful actions.

6. 6

   What does ransomware do?

   Model answer

   Ransomware encrypts the files on a victim's computer so they cannot be opened. The attacker then demands payment in exchange for the decryption key.

Other ways to work this

The same content, four other ways.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.