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GCSE Computer Science

Cyber Security

173 questions17 subtopicsAQAEdexcelEduqasOCR
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What's covered

Malware Types — Viruses, Trojans, Spyware12
Social Engineering — Blagging, Phishing, Shouldering11
Automated Software Updates10
Biometric Systems10
CAPTCHA10
Cyber Security Threats — Overview10
Cyber Security — Definition and Purpose10
Email Confirmation Processes10
Malware — Definition10
Password Protocols10
Penetration Testing — Definition and Types10
Pharming10
Protection Against Malware10
Protection Against Social Engineering10
Removable Media and Outdated Software10
Social Engineering — Definition10
Weak / Default Passwords and Access Control10

Key facts

1

Automatic updates can apply security patches without user delay.

2

A user cannot forget their fingerprint or face — the body feature is always with them, unlike a password.

3

CAPTCHAs on a login form help block automated brute-force attempts because each guess requires solving a fresh CAPTCHA.

4

Routine events like a printer running out of toner, a disconnected monitor, or an authorised user logging in correctly are not cyber-security threats — they're operational issues.

5

The three core goals of cyber security are Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability — known as the CIA triad.

6

Email confirmation alone is NOT a complete two-factor authentication system — it's a single account-creation check, not an ongoing second login factor.

7

Viruses, trojans and spyware are all forms of malware.

8

The umbrella term for malicious software designed to harm computers is "malware".

9

Requiring a mix of letters, digits and symbols increases the search space, making a password harder to guess by brute force.

10

A black-box test most closely resembles a real outside attack because the tester starts with no insider information.

Sample questions

A taste of the 173 questions in this topic — answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.

1Automated Software Updates

Why use automated software updates?

  • Apply security patches without delay
  • Automatically back up files to the cloud
  • Prevent users from changing system settings
  • Reduce the size of installed software over time
2Biometric Systems

Which is an example of biometric authentication?

  • A PIN code memorised by the user
  • A security question with a typed answer
  • A typed password chosen by the user
  • Fingerprint scanner on a smartphone
3CAPTCHA

Which is a typical CAPTCHA challenge?

  • Calculate the square root of pi exactly
  • Click images that contain traffic lights
  • Read aloud a poem stored on the server
  • Type your full date of birth into a box
4Cyber Security Threats — Overview

Which is a typical cyber security threat?

  • A monitor disconnected from the tower PC
  • A printer running out of toner ink suddenly
  • A user logging in with their real password
  • Malware delivered via email attachments
5Cyber Security — Definition and Purpose

What is the purpose of cyber security?

  • To compress files for less storage usage
  • To make programs run more quickly always
  • To prevent unauthorised access to data
  • To replace the need for any user accounts
6Email Confirmation Processes

Why send a confirmation link to a new user's email?

  • To delete the user from the database
  • To let them choose a password later
  • To upgrade the user's email account
  • To verify they own that email address

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