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GCSE Computer Science/Paper 1/Threats to computer systems and networks

Forms of attack

1.4.1 Threats to computer systems and networks

Practise exam questions

Threats to computer systems and networks — Note 1 of 7

What you need to know

There are several forms of attack that threaten computer systems and networks. Understanding each type, how it works, and what it aims to achieve is essential for identifying and preventing vulnerabilities.

What to know

  • Main forms of attack: malware (viruses, trojans, spyware), social engineering (phishing), brute-force attacks, denial of service (DoS), data interception and theft, SQL injection.
  • Each attack has a different METHOD and PURPOSE — you need to know both.
  • Attacks can target data (steal/modify), systems (disrupt/disable), or people (trick/deceive).

Exam technique

  • Tip:When describing an attack, always explain: (1) WHAT it is, (2) HOW it works, and (3) what the PURPOSE/goal is.

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Revise another OCR GCSE topic: Identifying and preventing vulnerabilities

Threats to computer systems and networks

Note 1 of 7

  1. 1Forms of attack
  2. 2Malware
  3. 3Social engineering, e.g. phishing, people as the 'weak point'
  4. 4Brute-force attacks
  5. 5Denial of service attacks
  6. 6Data interception and theft
  7. 7The concept of SQL injection
Topic overview

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