Gr 11 1.3 COMPUTER MANAGEMENT – SAFE- GUARDING OUR DATA

Question 1

Biometric security

Answer 1

Security based on measurement and identification of unique
physical characteristics of a person, e.g fingerprints.

Question 2

Data validation

Answer 2

Checking for the correctness of data from a computer
perspective, i.e with reference to a defined set of criteria, or
allowable values, which the computer program will either
accept or reject.

Question 3

Data verification

Answer 3

Checking for the accuracy of data from a human perspective.

Question 4

Defensive programming

Answer 4

A technique whereby the programmer makes pro-active
provision for possible errors made by the user, in the
interest of correct data entry.

Question 5

Disk imaging

Answer 5

Creating a backup ‘image’ of the entire hard drive, including
all data and programs, to be used for re-installation in the
case of complete hard drive failure.

Question 6

Encryption

Answer 6

The ‘scrambling’ of text or data according to a specified set
of rules to ensure the privacy of data during communication,
or for security purposes.

Question 7

Firewall

Answer 7

Hardware or software that monitors the traffic between a
computer and the internet, to safeguard against breaches in
security.

Question 8

GIGO

Answer 8

‘Garbage In, Garbage Out’ the quality of the output for any
computer system is directly related to the quality of the
input.

Question 9

Incremental backup

Answer 9

Backup schedule whereby backups are made only on new
files and files that have changed since the last backup,
resulting in greater backup efficient (saving in disk space and
backup time), and allowing selective data recovery from an
earlier date.

Question 10

Malware

Answer 10

Malware (malicious software) is a general term used to
describe malicious software that is specifically designed to
install itself without the user’s knowledge to negatively
affect or ‘harm’ a computer system.

Question 11

Online backup

Answer 11

The backing up of data on a server on the Internet (‘the
cloud’), with the advantages of data synchronisation, sharing
and portability.

Question 12

Phishing

Answer 12

Attempts from people, generally employing e-mail, to direct
other people to fake websites, where they are tricked into
releasing personal information (e.g passwords); then using
these details to commit identify theft and fraud.

Question 13

Raid

Answer 13

Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Disks – the
configuration of two or more hard drives, designed to
minimise the possibility of data loss.

Question 14

Rootkit

Answer 14

Collection of programs designed to use administrator rights
to gain and control of a computer for dangerous purposes.

Question 15

Software bug

Answer 15

A logical programming error that can cause unexpected
program behaviour, incorrect output or invalid data
processing.

Question 16

Spoofing

Answer 16

General term for conning techniques, such as phishing, used
to make electronic communication appear to originate from
another (legitimate) persons or institution.

Question 17

Spyware

Answer 17

A form of malware that tries to monitor and track the way
you use your computer to discover confidential information,
and then relay this to a third party.

Question 18

Trojan

Answer 18

A form of malware disguised as a useful program, but in
reality designed to do harm.

Question 19

UPS

Answer 19

Uninterruptible Power Supply – a hardware device used to
protect against power supply problems, consisting
essentially of a constantly charged battery between the
computer and the wall plug.

Question 20

Virus

Answer 20

A form of malware that attaches itself to a file or executable
program, thereby enabling it to spread between computers.

Question 21

Worm

Answer 21

Malware that is able to distribute itself over a network,
normally via e-mail, without a person having run an infected
program.