Year 11 - Computing
Malware: malicious software
Cyber threats and security
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit enables pupils to develop awareness of a range of cybersecurity threats that impact the world and us as individuals. They will explore different forms of attack, both non-automated and automated and how encryption tools can be used to protect communication.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe malware and explain how it attacks systems.
Key Notes
- Malware is malicious software designed to harm, steal, or disrupt computer systems.
- There are different types of malware, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware.
- Each type of malware works differently, but they often trick users into downloading or installing them.
- Malware can cause serious damage, such as data loss, system failure or financial loss.
Vocabulary To Learn
- malware: malicious software - a program designed to cause damage to computer systems, corrupt or change files, steal data or cause disruption to services
- infect: to spread something harmful like a virus or malware into a system
- stealing: the act of taking something that doesn't belong to you, without permission and with no intention of giving it back
- ransom: the money cybercriminals demand after locking files or systems
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Malware only affects computers, not phones or tablets.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Describe the system or process from this lesson in clear steps.
Malware is malicious software designed to harm, steal, or disrupt computer systems. There are different types of malware, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware.
2. Define this computing term and give one practical example. 'malware'
malicious software - a program designed to cause damage to computer systems, corrupt or change files, steal data or cause disruption to services. Add one real device or system example to prove understanding.
3. Correct this common computing misconception.
Mistake: Malware only affects computers, not phones or tablets. Correction: Malware can infect any idevice that is connected to the internet, including smartphones, tablets and smart TVs. Mobile malware is increasingly common and can steal data, track location or lock users out of their devices — just like on computers.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Careers in cyber security Study Guide
- Common ciphers Study Guide
- Defence against malware Study Guide
- Encryption tools to protect communication Study Guide
- Social engineering techniques Study Guide
- Testing as a form of defence Study Guide
- The cost of cyber crime and hacker motivation Study Guide
- The impact of fake news Study Guide
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