CyberSecurity Basics 226

The act of gaining unauthorized access to a computer, network, or system is called hacking. It can be done for various purposes, such as curiosity, learning, testing, espionage, sabotage, or theft. It can be ethical or unethical, depending on the motivation and legality of the act.

What is the name of the act of gaining unauthorized access to a computer, network, or system?

• Social Engineering

• Malware

• Hacking

• Phishing

• Unauthorized Accessing

Malware—short for “malicious software”—is software specifically designed to gain unauthorized access to or damage a device, typically without the owner’s knowledge. Common types of malware include:

Viruses: malware designed to change, corrupt, or destroy information that is then passed on to other systems.

Spyware: malware that is used by hackers to spy on your computer or mobile phone activities.

What is a general name for bad software on a person's device?

• Dangerous Code

• Cyber Insecurity

• Badware

• Malware

Here are a few common cybersecurity terms:

Network: interconnected digital devices that can exchange data with one another

Internet protocol (IP) address: a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device with internet access 

Virtual private network (VPN): an encrypted internet connection from a device to a network

What thing can secure a device's network connection?

• Internet Protocol

• Virtual Private Network

• Ethernet Connection

• Wi-Fi Security

• Cybersecurity Training

The field of study of protecting computers, networks, and data from unauthorized access, use, or damage is known as cybersecurity. It involves both technical and human aspects, such as software, hardware, policies, and training. Cybersecurity is important because it protects the privacy, integrity, and availability of information and systems.

What is the term for the practice of protecting computers, networks, and data from unauthorized access, use, or damage?

• Computer Networks

• Information and Systems

• Unauthorized Access

• Cybersecurity

• Protecting Computers

A bug is a mistake or error in a program that causes it to work incorrectly or not at all. A bug can be caused by many factors, such as typing errors, logic errors, or design errors. A bug can be fixed by finding and correcting the source of the problem.

What is another word for a mistake or error in a program?

• Loop

• Function

• Variable

• Bug

• String

A pixel is a tiny dot of color on a screen or an image. A pixel can have different colors and brightness. It is the smallest unit of a digital image. Many pixels together can form a picture or computer graphics.

What is the smallest unit of a digital image?

• Computer Graphics

• Pixel

• Dot

• Screen

• Digital Image

Cybersecurity refers to every aspect of protecting critical systems, devices, and sensitive data against cyberattacks. 

Hacker (black hat): a malicious person who attempts to gain unauthorized access to a network with the intent to cause damage or theft

Hacker (white hat): A person who attempts to gain unauthorized access to a network in order to identify and patch vulnerabilities in a security system.

What is the title of an employee who finds and fixes security vulnerabilities?

• White Hat Hacker

• Black Hat Hacker

• Hatless Hacker

• Vulnerabilities

• Cybersecurity

Malware that can lock, encrypt, and destroy personal files once it gains access to your computer is called ransomware. Like the name suggests, hackers typically use ransomware to extort money from their victims with promises of restoring the encrypted data. 

What kind of software destroys data if money if a ransom is not paid?

• Spyware

• Hacked

• Ransomware

• Virus

• Cybersecurity

The phenomenon, where cybercrime scammers try to lure sensitive information or data from you by impersonating a trustworthy source, like a friend or your bank, is known as phishing. Phishers can trick you by sending links asking for personal information like your credit card or Social Security number through: Text messages, Email, Phone calls, Social media direct messages.

What kind of attack tricks users into giving up sensitive information?

• Phishing

• Virus

• Malware

• Black Hat Hacking

• VPN

Firewall: a network security feature designed to monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic in order to block unauthorized access

Encryption: the process of scrambling readable text so that it can only be read by the person who has the encryption key

Virtual private network (VPN): an encrypted internet connection from a device to a network

What is it called where data is modified so that it is not readable by others?

• Encryption

• Firewall

• Smoke and Mirrors

• VPN

• Cybersecurity