Unit 3- Operating Online Flashcards
What is unauthorised access?
- when a user gains access to a network without permission
What can unauthorised access be the result of?
- direct entry - a user tries to gain access directly by themselves or by by using software designed to try username and password combinations repeatedly (brute force attack)
- indirect entry - a users tries to gain access indirectly by exploiting vulnerabilities in software or users
What are botnets?
- groups of computers that are used without an owners knowledge to carry out harmful activities or spread malware
What can accidental deletion occur?
- Presses the wrong key on a keyboard
- Formats media on the wrong device
- Loses power unexpectedly
What is malware?
Malware (malicious software) is the term used for any software that has been created with malicious intent to cause harm to a computer system
What are some examples of issues caused by malware?
- Files being deleted, corrupted or encrypted
- Internet connection becoming slow or unusable
- Computer crashing or shutting down
What are the different types of malware?
virus, worms, trojan, spyware and ransomware
What does a virus do?
- program which can replicate itself on a users computer
- contains a code that will cause unwanted and unexpected events to occur
examples of issues a user may experience are: - corrupt files
- delete data
- prevent applications from running correctly
What does the malware worms do?
- very similar to viruses
- the main differences being they spread to other drives and computers on the network
worms can infect other computers from: - infected websites
- instant messages services
- network connection
What does a trojan do?
- sometimes called a trojan horse
- trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software but contain malicious code in the background
What does spyware do?
- software which will allow a person to spy on the users activities on their devices
- form of software will be embedded into other software such as games or programs that have been downloaded from illegitimate sources
- can record your screen, log your keystrokes to gain access to passwords and more
What does Ransomware do?
- form of malware that locks your computer or device that encrypts your documents and other important files
- a demand is made for money to receive the password that will allow the user to decrypt the files
- no guarantee that paying the ransom will result in the user getting their data back
What is phishing?
- form of social engineering
- involves sending fraudulent, legitimate looking emails to large number of email addresses (they claim to be from a reputable company or trusted source and try and gain access to your details)
- tries to coax the user to click on a log in button and enter their details
What are the effects of phishing?
- creator of the email can gain unauthorised access- this gains personal data like login information, bank accounts
- can lead to identity theft or fraudulent activity on credit cards and bank accounts
How can phishing be prevented?
Phishing can be prevented by:
- Anti-spam filters to avoid fraudulent emails arriving in a user’s inbox
- Training staff to recognise fraudulent emails and to avoid opening attachments from unrecognised senders
- User access levels to prevent staff from being able to open files-types such as executable (.exe) files and batch (.bat) files
What is pharming?
Pharming is typing a website address into a browser and it is redirected to a ‘fake’ website to trick a user into typing in sensitive information such as passwords
An attacker attempts to alter DNS settings or change a users browser settings to redirect users to the fraudulent website
What are the effects of pharming?
The creator of the malicious content can gain unauthorised access to personal data such as login information, bank accounts and more
- can lead to identity theft or fraudulent activity on credit cards and bank accounts
How can pharming be prevented?
- Keeping anti-malware software up to date
- Checking URLs regularly
- Make sure the padlock icon is visible
Exam question: Explain why phishing messages are sent to many users (2 marks)
It increases the chances of a user responding [1] because not all users are vulnerable / phishing targets vulnerable users / more people are aware of phishing [1]
What is a strong password?
Strong passwords should contain:
- More than eight characters
- mixture of letters, numbers and symbols
- mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters
- Uncommon words/phrases
Passwords should be changed regularly
What are biometrics?
Biometrics are a way of authenticating a user by using their unique human characteristics
Some of the ways biometrics can be used are:
- Fingerprint scans
- Retina scans
- Facial recognition
What are the advantages of biometrics?
- Unique to the person and can not be copied, meaning that the data is always with the person
-Passwords can be easily copied, forgotten, guessed or cracked - It is difficult to copy or forge biometric data
- Eliminates the possibility of attacks such as shoulder surfing and key-logging software
- A high degree of accuracy as there is no known way to copy a person’s retina pattern for example
What are the disadvantages of biometrics?
- can be intrusive, for example, scanning eyes
- Scans be not be recognised, an example of could be fingerprint scans with dirty hands
- Very expensive to install
- Low light can provide an issue for facial recognition as well as hats and glasses
- People may be uncomfortable having their most unique characteristics being stored in a database
What is CAPCHA?
- method of testing if a website request originates from a human or a machine (bot)
- used to prevent spam and protect logins
Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers & Humans Apart (CAPTCHA) examples include:
Text - Asking users to enter characters from a distorted text box, users would need to decipher the characters and enter them in a designated box
Image - A grid of images, a user would be asked to select all those that contain a specific object
Checkbox - A simple checkbox appears asking the user to confirm they are not a robot
What is anti-malware software?
Anti-malware software is a term used to describe a combination of different software to prevent computers from being susceptible to viruses and other malicious software
What are the different software anti-malware includes?
Anti-virus
Anti-spam
Anti-spyware
How does anti-malware work?
- scans through email attachments, websites and downloaded files to search for issues
- has a list of known malware signatures to block immediately if they try to access your device in any way
Anti-malware will also perform checks for updates to ensure the database of known issues is up to date
What are access rights? What are the three forms of access rights?
- ensure users of a network can access what they need to access and do not have access to information/resources they shouldn’t
- Users can have designated roles on a network
- can be set based on a user’s role, responsibility, or clearance level
Full access - this allows the user to open, create, edit & delete files
Read-only access - this only allows the user to open files without editing or deleting
No access - this hides the file from the use
What are some examples of different rights of access to a school network?
(Users and groups of users can be given specific file permissions)
Administrators: Unrestricted - Can access all areas of the network
Teaching Staff: Partially restricted - Can access all student data but cannot access other staff members’ data
Students: Restricted - Can only access their own data and files
What is HTTP and HTTPS?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) allows communication between clients and servers for website viewing
HTTP allows clients to receive data from the sever (fetching a webpage) and send data to the server (submitting a form, uploading a file)
HTTPS works in the same way as HTTP but with an added layer of security
All data sent and received using HTTPS is encrypted
HTTPS is used to protect sensitive information such as passwords, financial information and personal data
What is email safety?
Users should be aware of the dangers when using email, especially email attachments and web links
To ensure users use email safely they should take extra caution when:
- Email is from an unknown sender
- Text is general or impersonal
- Contains spelling, punctuation or grammar mistakes
- Attached files are executable files (.exe)
- Urgency is the tone of the message
- Don’t recognise the URL
What is backup software?
- used to create copies of personal data in order to keep it safe in the event of:
Accidental loss
Data theft
- can be automated and scheduled to happen at less busy periods of the day, to not take up valuable system resources (e.g. overnight etc.)
- can be stored locally (secondary storage) or remotely (cloud)
- Backup software can be purchased or come as a standalone application bundled with an operating system
What are the two ways backups can be made?
Full - all files are backed up (saftest, slow)
Incremental - only files that have been added/modified since the last backup are backed up (faster, less secure)
What are online payment systems?
eliminate the need for physical cash by facilitating the payment of good and services online
The most common online payment systems include:
Third party payment processors
Bank cards
Contactless (NFC)
What do online payment systems offer?
Convenience - pay for anything, anytime, from anywhere
Security - encryption protects sensitive information
Increased reach - can be used for international transactions
Transparency - digital records kept for easy monitoring and resolving disputes
What are third party payment processors?
Third party payment processors facilitate online payments using an email address as identification
They can be linked to online shopping applications to make the purchasing process easier & faster
Popular third party payment processors include:
-PayPal
-Worldpay
- Stripe
What are bank cards?
A bank card can be used to pay for good and services online using information found on the card
When making a purchases, the following information is required:
-16 digit card number
- Expiry date
- Security number (CVC
What are contactless payments (NFC)?
- Contactless payments can be made using near field communication (NFC)
If a contactless card is in close proximity of a reader requesting a payment then a transaction can take place
No extra authentication takes place, but the amount is limited
Limits are there to deter criminals as only small amounts can be stolen
How can you protect online payments?
Online payment systems can be protected using a number of methods such as:
- Banks - monitoring payments and/or analysing spending patterns (if card is lost/stolen/cloned)
- Encryption for online payments
- Two factor authentication (2FA)
- Using secure websites (HTTPS)
Exam question:
David buys a coffee in a store.
David pays with a card using NFC.
Explain why NFC speeds up the payment process. (2 marks)
Users can scan/tap their card / do not have to insert their card / do not have to enter their PIN/code [1]…
…because NFC is a contactless payment method [1]
What are the impacts of the internet on employment?
The three biggest impacts of the internet on employment are:
change in skills requirements
new job opportunities
job losses
What are the skill requirements for employment?
The demand for tech skills and competence in information communication technology (ICT)
-ability to work with and analyse more data to make informed business decisions
-A shift in the need for particular skill sets due to more automation means potential employees need to be adaptable
-A focus on problem solving and critical thinking rather than carrying out tasks that can now be automated
An increased importance on soft skills such as:
Effective communication
Collaboration
Lifelong learning
What is a description of cyber security?
Skilled works to look after and protect systems from attack
Trained to work with computer systems and networks
What is a description of data science?
Experts to analyse data and extract insights
Programming knowledge
What is a description of Artificial intelligence (AI) & machine learning (ML)?
Developing AI in all industries
Working with machine learning algorithms
What is a description of Digital Marketing?
Content creation
Search engine optimisation (SEO)
Social media marketing
What is a description of Cloud computing?
Cloud architects
Security specialists
Why might someone experience a job loss?
-employees who choose to not improve their skills using the internet may unfortunately not have the skills required to carry out new work
If they are unwilling to retrain this may lead to job losses
What are working practices?
Working practices are the ways in which a person goes about completing a task as part of their job
Examples of working practices include:
Collaborative working
Flexible working
What is collaborative working?
- means employees can work on the same project or task at the same time, in real time
- internet enables employees to work together remotely, bridging the gap of being in the same place at the same time
This allows employers to choose employees from a much wider talent pool
What are the advantages of collaborative working?
- Efficiency - tasks can be completed more quickly
- Knowledge - shared skills and experience
- Creativity - access to other perspectives, problem solving as a team
- Morale - motivate employees by building a team spirit
What are the disadvantages of collaborative working?
-Co-ordination - organising meetings and keeping people on the same page can be hard
-Personality clashes - some people do not work well in a team and can hinder progress
-Contribution - some members might not contribute equally
What is flexible working?
- means employees can work when suits them
They can decide the hours they work or work from home
The internet also makes working on the move an option for employees
What are the advantages of flexible working?
Work life balance - can schedule work around personal commitments
Productivity - working when YOU feel the most productive
Fewer sick days - better work life balance leads to fewer absences
What are the disadvantages of flexible working?
Communication - lack of face to face can hinder collaboration
Isolation - missing social aspects of traditional office environment
Management - supervising and monitoring employees can be more difficult
Exam question:
Sarah uses the Internet for work.
Sarah can collaborate with others so expertise can be shared.
Explain one other way that the Internet could positively impact how Sarah works (2 marks)
more productive / doesn’t waste time [1]
better motivated [1]
more flexibility [1]
better work life balance [1]
Reason:
work at home / on the move [1]
access online files/information/resources/software [1]
Does the internet give access to more information?
Yes, the internet gives access to a wealth of information
Individuals can keep up to date with news, sport and weather information 24 hours a day
Traditional media such as television and radio have some disadvantages that the internet has solved
What are the differences between television and radio and the internet?
Television and radio: broadcast at set times, limited number of channels, editors decide on content, held to standard
Internet: 24/7 availability, millions of channels, not always edited, access from anywhere with a connection, not always held to any standards
How has the internet given people access to new ways of learning?
Virtual learning environments (VLEs) - online support from teachers and students
Social learning - social media platforms enable learners to share resources, ideas and projects
Gamification - making learning engaging and interaction, promoting knowledge retention
Virtual reality (VR) - immersive experiences, bringing abstract concepts to life
What can users access online gaming systems for?
- Travel
- Shopping
- Banking
The internet has provided users with access to on-demand services such as streaming what?
- movies
- television
- music
What is social communication?
- communication with and reaction to others
Humans are naturally social and the internet has given users different ways to participate socially
How has the internet given us ways to participate socially?
- Online gaming
- Video
- Instant messaging
- Social networking
- Online space for work & learning
What are some examples for social interaction?
- Connection & community - connect with people with the same interests, regardless of location
- Expression - platforms give a space to explore yourself freely, find communities that can support
- Social support & mental health - give people a sense of belonging and support, important for people who feel isolated or struggle with mental health
- Convenience - no travelling or scheduling, can take place 24/7
- Social change - powerful tools for social activism and raising awareness about important issues
What are some examples against social interaction?
- Misinformation - algorithms can limit exposure to diverse perspectives and help spread misinformation
- Privacy - sharing information online can lead to privacy concerns, where is the data kept and who has access
- Distraction - online notifications can be a distraction, hindering productivity
- Addiction - too much interaction can be addictive
- Social comparisons - can lead to low self esteem and poor mental health as constantly comparing yourself to others
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is using the internet to send text, images or multimedia in order to upset or embarrass someone
What can online bullying range from?
- Hurtful messages
- Distributing upsetting images
- Preventing participation in online events/discussions (isolating)
Why is reduced physical activity a concern?
Reduced physical activity is a concern as people have more access to online goods and services and do not need to leave the comfort of their houses
Why can reduced physical activity effect someone’s health?
- increased blood pressure
- metabolic issues
- weakened immune system
Why can reduced physical activity effect someones wellbeing?
- increased anxiety and depression
- poor sleep quality
- decreased social interaction
How has the availability of digital devices changed the way people work?
How has the availability of digital devices changed the way people work?
workers required access to computer systems and would access them from an office environment (centralised)
To facilitate access, office hours such as 09:00 to 17:00 were common
As digital devices became cheaper and more powerful, these devices were increasingly used at home
What can digital devices be used to?
Run a range of software
Access the internet
Access online systems & applications
What are the drawbacks to organisations of working from home?
- concerns about data security
- difficult to manage and support employees
- employees might not work as hard
What are the benefits to organisations of working from home?
- attracts talented/motivated workforce
- employee from a wider location
- no need to buy or rent office space
- no commuting for employees
- workers work more efficiently from home
- complications with payroll for employees in different countries
What are the benefits for employees of working from home?
- no need to travel to work
- more time working/resting as there is no travelling
- work at a time to suit them
- less distractions
- comfortable environment
What are the drawbacks for employees of working from home?
- distractions at home (family, leisure activities)
- lack of social interaction
- feel disconnected from the company
What are the positive impacts of the internet on organisations?
- improved communication
- access to global markets
- access to global workforce
What are the examples of how organisations can communicate with its customers
- websites
- emails
- instant messaging
- social interaction
What has access to global markets ( internet means organisations can advertise and sell to customers in countries around the world) helped sell products online and reduce costs on?
- overheads (rent, utilities and staff)
- packaging
- postal charges
How has Access to global workforce had an impact on organisations?
With the internet, organisations can now find and hire the best talent for the job, regardless of location
Organisations can be more selective, they are not limited to employees within travelling distance of a place of work
They can select employees from different time zones and utilise different skills
Organisations may be able to reduce costs, for example, wages in some countries may be lower
What are the negative impacts of the internet on organisations?
The negative impacts of the internet on organisations are:
Security issues
Greater competition
How information is managed and used?
Organisations use big data collected from smartphones, online applications, social media and payments systems to find patterns of behaviour
This allows organisations to improve the customer experience and improve process efficiency
Where do organisations store private and valuble data?
using physical safety methods like: walls, locks, alarms, security guards
How can employees access secure data working remotely?
VPN (link here) - remotely access organisations data on servers
Transfer a copy of organisations data to home via external storage or email
Storing organisations data on someone else’s server (cloud)
With Data being accessed remotely means it is more vulnerable to threats such as? How can we prevent this?
Employees revealing login details intentionally/accidentally - Policies to ensure employees are accountable for their actions
Unauthorised users intercepting data being transferred on the internet- Encryption
Unauthorised users hack in to the organisations systems- Firewalls/authentication
What are some examples of their being greater competition for products and services due to the internet?
Music/film rental- Online downloads & streaming
Record labels- Independent artists can release their own music online
Estate agents- Online advertising/virtual viewings
Newspaper publishers- Online news and information services
Postal services- Send messages and digital media instantly
Exam question - Describe two positive impacts of the Internet on organisations (4 marks)
Improved communication/collaboration [1] through the use of email/messaging services / hosted applications/storage [1]
Increased access to international markets/workforce [1] due to the global reach of the web / opportunities for more flexible working [1]
Improvements in access to customer information [1] through analysis of big data [1]
Make use of transactional data [1] to carry out targeted marketing [1]
Maintains workforce productivity [1] if workforce is unable to attend the workplace
What is the impact of less-restricted networks
Broadcastings
Publishing
The internet
How has Broadcasting a message had an impact of less-restricted networks?
Before the internet, an individual would need to persuade a media outlet to broadcast their message
It was difficult to get a message to the masses
Social media and video streaming have given society a platform to share their own messages to a global audience
How has Online content had an impact of less-restricted networks?
Controlled by moderators
Service owners control content can be published
Algorithms determine what content watchers see based upon browsing history & online activity
Paid promotion will be seen by more users than individuals that don’t pay
How has User generated reference sites had an impact on less- restricted networks?
Sites such as Wikipedia have removed the element of fact checking by experts or editors
Users can contribute content that may or may not be true
How has Law enforcement had an impact on less- restricted networks?
Negative
Use of social media and video messaging services to organise illegal activities whilst avoiding police
Positive
Use of a network of CCTV cameras to record illegal actions
Footage captured on social media to help identify suspects
Social media used to organise events to support victims
What is the information gap?
The information gap refers to the divide created between people who have access to online information, and those that do not
What is the difference between information rich and information poor?
Information rich- Good access to information, this improves education and helps enable them to make decisions
Information poor- Reduced access to information, this decreases education and reduces their ability to make decisions
