1.4.1 - Threats to computer systems and networks
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What are the different forms of attack?
Malware, Social Engineering, Brute-force attacks, Denial of service attacks, Data interception and theft, SQL injection.
What is malware?
Malicious Software. Designed to harm, damage or gain unauthorised access to a computer’s systems and data.
What are common types of malware?
Viruses, Worms, Trojan Horse, Spyware, Adware.
How do viruses work? (how they are used)
Only activated when opened by a human. Attaches to a file, replicates its code in other programs.
What is the purpose of a virus?
Harm computers by corrupting or modifying files. Delete data. Prevent applications from running properly.
How do worms work? (how they are used)
Worms infect computers through emails, network connections, infected websites etc. Replicate itself and spread quickly from system to system to find weaknesses.
What is the purpose of a worm?
Slow down computers and networks. Exploit vulnerabilities - for other malware.
How does a trojan work? (how they are used)
A trojan is a harmful program that looks like legitimate software so users are tricked into installing it. Contains malicious code.
What is the purpose of a trojan?
Gives backdoor access to hackers. Gives access to the computer system clearly. Can corrupt files, slow network speed, crash computers etc.
How does spyware work? (how they are used)
Secretly logs the activity of a user on a computer. eg. a keylogger will track each key pressed by a certain user.
What is the purpose of spyware?
Aims to record passwords, emails, confidential information, which is then passed back to the hacker to use and exploit.
How does adware work? (how they are used)
Adware is installed on your device - often with free software. Tracks your online activity and produced targeted adverts etc.
What is the purpose of adware?
Forced adverts. Redirecting users to unsafe sites where personal data is collected.
What is social engineering?
A manipulation technique used to gain personal and confidential information through social interaction using people as the weak point.
How are humans seen as the weak point?
Human error: Not locking doors, Not logging out of devices, Sharing passwords, Not encrypting data, Not keeping anti-malware software up to date.
What are common types of social engineering?
Blagging, Phishing, Pharming, Shoulder Surfing.
What is blagging? (how it’s used)
Inventing a fake scenario to manipulate a victim into giving confidential information away.
What is the purpose of blagging?
Gain confidential data.
What is phishing? (how it’s used)
Scam emails, texts and phone calls containing links to malicious sites.
What is the purpose of phishing?
Gain personal information. Install malware.
What is pharming? (how it’s used)
A cyberattack where a websites traffic is directed to another fake site which intends to download a virus or malicious program onto the users computer.
What is the purpose of pharming?
Data theft. Malware installation.
What is shoulder surfing? (how it’s used)
Watching a user (“over their shoulder”) as they enter personal information - eg. a password. (can also be through a camera.)
What is the purpose of shoulder surfing?
Access to a computer. Data theft.