Cyber Security | AQA GCSE Computer Science (8525)
Cyber Security
- 55 questions
- 4 subtopics
- Paper 2
- Paper 2
Cyber Security is examined in Paper 2, Computing concepts.
It covers cyber security, common threats and penetration testing, social engineering: blagging, phishing and shouldering, malware: viruses, trojans and spyware and methods to detect and prevent cyber security threats.
Sample questions from Cyber Security
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Cyber security, common threats and penetration testing
What are misconfigured access rights?
Show the answer
Misconfigured access rights give users more access than they need, or leave data open to anyone. An ordinary user might be able to read or delete sensitive files. -
Cyber security, common threats and penetration testing
Why do organisations use penetration testing?
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Penetration testing reveals security weaknesses so they can be fixed. The results show how well the organisation's defences would hold up. -
Social engineering: blagging, phishing and shouldering
What is phishing?
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Phishing is fraudulently obtaining private information, usually by email or text message. The message pretends to come from a trusted organisation such as a bank. -
Social engineering: blagging, phishing and shouldering
How can organisations protect against social engineering?
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Organisations can train staff to recognise and report social engineering attempts. Clear rules, such as never giving passwords over the phone, also help. -
Malware: viruses, trojans and spyware
How does a trojan differ from a virus?
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A trojan relies on the user being tricked into installing it. A virus copies itself into other files to spread. -
Malware: viruses, trojans and spyware
Why must anti-malware software be updated regularly?
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New malware is created constantly. Updates give the software the details it needs to recognise the latest threats. -
Methods to detect and prevent cyber security threats
What makes a strong password?
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A strong password is long and mixes upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. A strong password avoids words and personal details that can be guessed. -
Methods to detect and prevent cyber security threats
Why are automatic software updates a security measure?
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Automatic updates install security patches as soon as they are released. The system is protected without relying on the user to remember.
The 4 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber security, common threats and penetration testing | What cyber security protects, pharming, weak passwords, misconfigured access rights, removable media and unpatched software, and penetration tests that simulate insiders and external attackers. | 15 |
| Social engineering: blagging, phishing and shouldering | Why social engineering works, blagging, phishing, smishing and shouldering with examples, the warning signs of a phishing email, and how people and organisations defend against it. | 13 |
| Malware: viruses, trojans and spyware | Viruses, trojans, spyware and keyloggers, how malware reaches a computer, anti-malware software and firewalls, and everyday habits that keep a user safe. | 13 |
| Methods to detect and prevent cyber security threats | Biometrics, strong passwords and password rules, CAPTCHA, email confirmation, automatic updates and two-factor authentication, and choosing the right measure for a stolen phone. | 14 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
AQA GCSE Computer Science Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 664 questions with their answers.