5.3 · Lesson 1 of 2

Cyber security threats

Syllabus 5.3.1

What this lesson covers

Brute-force attack: Trying every possible combination of characters until a password is found.
Data interception: Stealing data while it's being transmitted, e.g. by packet sniffing.
DDoS attack: Distributed denial of service: a botnet floods a server with requests so genuine users can't access it.
Hacking: Gaining unauthorised access to a computer system.
Malware: Software designed to harm a computer or its user.
Virus: Malware that replicates and attaches to files. It needs the user to open the file.
Worm: Malware that replicates and spreads through a network by itself.
Trojan horse: Malware disguised as genuine software.
Spyware: Malware that secretly monitors the user and sends the data to a third party.
Adware: Malware that displays unwanted adverts.
Ransomware: Malware that encrypts files and demands payment for the key.
Phishing: A fake email or message that tricks the user into giving away personal details through a fake website.
Pharming: Malicious code that redirects the user to a fake website, even if they type the correct URL.
Social engineering: Manipulating people into breaking normal security procedures.