Network security Flashcards
What is a brute force attack?
An active attack used to gain information by cracking passwords through trial and error
What is a Denial Of Service Attack?
Flooding a network with traffic to make it slow and inaccessible
What is spyware?
Hackers secretly monitor the user actions (e.g. key presses)
What is malware?
Malicious software installed on someones device with out their knowledge/ consent
What is a trojan/ how does a trojan work?
Malware disguised as legitimate software, users install them not realising it’s malware
What is worm/ how does a worm work?
Similar to viruses but self replicate so they can spread quickly
What is a virus/ how does a virus work?
Viruses attach to certain files by copying themselves which users spread by copying these files and activate them by opening them
What is phishing?
When someone tries to gain sensitive data through emails or messages
How are people a weak point in system security?
Leaving the computer on
Weak password
Using public/insecure wifi
Not encrypting data
What is a SQL injection?
SQL is a programming language used to manipulate databases
When malicious SQL query is entered into a data input box on a website it can trick the website into giving unauthorised access
What is social engineering?
It’s tricking someone into revealing their personal data by posing as a trusted sources
What is data interception?
When packets of data are intercepted by a third party whilst being transmitted
What are penetration tests and why are they used?
Ethical hacking to find weak points in a system and fix them
What is firewall and why is it used?
Manages incoming and outgoing network traffic, and decides wether to block or allow it
What is anti malware software and why is it used?
It detects malware and deletes it to reduce/ prevent its effects
