Detecting and Preventing Malware

Question 1

How are people infected with malware?

Answer 1

• Attachment to e-mail
• Macro virus
• Download from internet
• Running software on removable media

Question 2

list 3 Common Vulnerabilities

Answer 2

• User apathy – ‘It won’t happen to me’
• Misuse of security mechanisms – e.g.
passwords, permissions, and anti-virus
• Operating system and other software
weaknesses

Question 3

What are the Signs of Infection

Answer 3

• Programs slowing down, or taking longer to
start
• Sudden drop in available memory
• Changing program length
• A very old file recently modified
• Computer restarts for no reason
• Heavy network traffic

Question 4

Ways of Stopping Viruses

Answer 4

– Antivirus : keep up to date, run regular scans
– be careful about the software you install, use
permissions, don’t download from dodgy websites
or open e-mail attachments from untrusted sources
– write protect sensitive parts of the disk
– Use firewalls
– Employ the principle of least privilege
– Restrict transitivity, Interpretation?

Question 5

Malware and the Law; what is the relevant act

Answer 5

Computer Misuse Act 1990

Question 6

Malware and the Law; what definition in the act?

Answer 6

Unauthorised access, purposefully spreading

malware

Question 7

Malware and the Law max sentence?

Answer 7

10 years in prison

Question 8

3 Offences related to malware

Answer 8

• Unauthorised access to computer material.
• Unauthorised access with intent to commit or
facilitate commission of further offences.
• Unauthorised modification of computer material.

Question 9

What are the 2015 Serious Crime Act - Amendments

Answer 9

• “unauthorised act in relation to a computer
results, directly or indirectly, in serious damage to the economy, the environment, national security or human welfare, or a significant risk of such damage”
• Can now be a life sentence…