Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478) · lesson 15 of 35 · 30 min
Cybersecurity Threats
Types of Malware
Protection Methods
Anti-malware software: detects and removes malicious software. Firewalls: filter incoming and outgoing network traffic by rules. Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Regular software updates and security patches. Encryption: protects data in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest. User education: recognising phishing and social engineering. Regular backups: enables recovery from ransomware. Access control: principle of least privilege — users only get permissions they need.
Which malware type self-replicates across networks without user interaction?
- Virus
- Worm
- Trojan
- Adware
Answer: Worm
Worms spread automatically across networks without needing to attach to files.
What is a brute force attack?
- Physically breaking into a server room
- Trying all possible passwords systematically
- Sending millions of network requests
- Injecting SQL into a form
Answer: Trying all possible passwords systematically
Brute force = systematically trying every possible password combination.
Which protection method filters network traffic based on rules?
- Anti-malware
- Encryption
- Firewall
- MFA
Answer: Firewall
A firewall inspects and filters packets based on configured rules.
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