Threats to Digital Systems (Edexcel GCSE Computer Science)

Malware

What is malware?

• Malware (malicious software) is the term used for any software that has been created with malicious intent to cause harm to a computer system

• Examples of issues caused by malware include

  • Files being deleted, corrupted or encrypted

  • Internet connection becoming slow or unusable

  • Computer crashing or shutting down 

• There are various types of malware and each has slightly different issues which they cause

How Hackers Exploit Vulnerabilities

What is a hacker?

• A hacker is a criminal who exploits technical vulnerabilities to break into computer systems and networks

• Hackers seek out opportunities that make this possible, this includes:

  • Unpatched software

  • Out-of-date anti-malware

Unpatched software

• Software is often released in a less than perfect state and flaws/vulnerabilities may exist which can provide an opportunity for hackers

• Unpatched software can lead to:

  • Data breaches

  • Installation of malware

Out-of-date anti-malware

• Anti-malware that is out-of-date is not effective at protecting against new threats

• Malware threats have a unique signature called a 'definition' which is used to protect against them

• Out-of-date anti-malware will not have an updated list of definitions

• Out-of-date anti-malware can lead to:

  • Data loss

  • Identify theft

  • Financial loss

Social Engineering

What is social engineering?

• Social engineering is exploiting weaknesses in a computer system by targeting the people that use or have access to them

• Social engineering is the art of manipulating people so they give up confidential information 

Blagging (pretexting)

• The art of creating and using an invented scenario to engage a targeted victim in a manner that increases the chance the victim will divulge information or perform actions that would be unlikely in ordinary circumstances

• E.g. a scammer will send a fake text message, pretending to be from the government or human resources of a company, this scam is used to trick an individual into giving out confidential data

Phishing

• Sending fraudulent emails/SMS to a large number of people, claiming to be from a reputable company or trusted source to try and gain access to your details, often by coaxing the user to click on a login button/link

Baiting

• Using deception to lure a victim into a trap

• Victims are lured by the offer of something appealing such as:

  • Something for free

  • A chance to win a prize

  • Exclusive access

  • Sensationalised headings (fake news)

• Once interest is shown, the hacker sets the trap, the trap could include:

  • Sending malicious links or attachments

  • Directing to a fake website

Quid pro quo

• A technique which preys on a persons desire to repay a kind gesture by doing something in return (something for something)

• Similar to baiting but usually involves the offer of a service after giving information

• An example of quid pro quo could be:

  • Offering to fix an infected computer but needing security credentials to be able to do it

How can you protect against it?

• The best way to protect an individual from the threat of social engineering is to ensure the proper training/education has taken place

  • What questions to ask to determine authenticity (blagging)

  • What to look for in an email/SMS (phishing)

  • Being aware of surroundings/location (shouldering)