Data Integrity and protection: Threats and solutions

What is hardware failure?

When a PHYSICAL computer COMPONENT stops working/is damaged, causing data loss or preventIng the COMPUTER from functioning properly.

What is the difference between a power surge and a power failure?

A power failure is an INTERRUPTION in ELECTRICITY supply that can cause unsaved data to be lost. A POWER SURGE is a sudden increase in VOLTAGE that can damage hardware components.

What is malware?

Malware is malicious software designed to:

1. Damage systems

2. Steal information

3. Spy on users

4. Or gain unauthorised access.

What is ransomware?

Malware that locks or encrypts files or software and demands payment to restore access.

What is phishing?

A technique that uses deceptive messages or websites to TRICK users into revealing information or clicking malicious links.

What is a computer virus?

Malicious CODE that attaches itself to a file or program and spreads when it is run.

What is spyware?

Malware that secretly monitors a user’s activities or collects information.

What is pharming?

Pharming is the technique of redirecting users to a FRAUDULENT WEBSITE, even when they intend to visit a legitimate one.

What is spoofing?

Falsifying an identity or source to appear trustworthy.

What is a botnet?

A botnet is a group of infected computers or devices controlled remotely by an attacker.

What is a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack?

An attack that makes a system unavailable by overwhelming it with requests or exhausting its resources.

What is an open port, and why can it be a security risk?

A port available to accept NETWORK CONNECTIONS or TRAFFIC. This can EXPOSE a service to attackers if it is unnecessary or poorly secured.

What are Wi-Fi vulnerabilities?

Weaknesses in a wireless network that attackers can exploit to gain access or steal information.

Give three examples of wi-fi vulnerabilities

1. Weak passwords

2. Outdated wireless security

3. Unchanged default router passwords.

4. Using unsecured public wifi for sensitive activities

How can you protect a Wi-Fi network?

1. Use WPA2 or WPA3 security

2. Strong passwords

3. UPDATED router firmware

(Link to vulnerabilities above)

How can a firewall help protect a computer OR network?

It monitors and filters network traffic according to SECURITY RULES, blocking UNAUTHORISED connections.

How can unnecessary open ports be secured ?

Close unnecessary ports and use a firewall to restrict access to required ports. (2 solutions for 2 cases)

How can a UPS and a surge protector protect a computer?

1. A UPS (Uninterruptible power supply)provides temporary power during an outage

2. A surge protector helps protect against sudden voltage increases.

What is RAID, and why us it used?

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) combines multiple drives to improve:

Performance

Reliability

Or both

What is mirroring (RAID 1)?

The same data is stored on two drives, allowing data to remain available/be restored if one drive fails

What is striping (RAID 0)?

Data is SPLIT into BLOCKS and distributed across multiple drives to improve performance. It provides no redundancy.

What is parity(RAID 5)?

Parity information is distributed across multiple devices and can be used to reconstruct data if one drive fails.

Why is RAID not a substitute for backup?

RAID doesn’t protect against:

Accidental deletion

Malware

Or data corruption affecting the array

What is a backup?

A backup is a separate copy of data that can be used to restore data that has been lost, damaged or corrupted.

Distinguish between local and remote backups?

A local backup is backup stored nearby, such as on a :

1. An external hardrive

2. Or USB

A remote backup is backup stored in another different PHYSICAL location such as a

1. Data centre

2. Cloud service

What is a UPS and what does it protect against?

An Uninterruptible power supply uses a battery to provide temporary power/electricity during a power failure/outage, allowing users to save work properly and shut down safely.

What is a redundant power supply?

An additional power supply unit that can keep a computer or server running if the PRIMARY UNIT fails.

What is the main purpose of encryption?

Confidentiality- preventing unauthorised people from reading data.

What does a digital signature provide?

It helps verify authenticity and integrity, not confidentiality.

How is a digital signature verified?

The sender signs using their private key; the recipient verifies using the corresponding public key.

What is the purpose of a digital signature?

A digital signature links a public key to the identity of an organisation, person or website. With the binding authenticated by a certificate authority.

Why does a longer encryption key improve security?

It generally increases the number of possible keys, making brute force attacks harder.

What is TKIP?

Temporal key integrity protocol is a protocol designed to improve security in older WPA WIFI NETWORKS.

Why is TKIP no longer recommended?

It is outdated AND has known security weaknesses compared with modern WIFI SECURITY METHODS

What is port filtering?

A method used by a firewall that allows or blocks network traffic based on specified port numbers and rules.

What is an audit trail?

An audit trail is a chronological record of activities performed on a computer system or network. (For monitoring and investigation)

How does an audit trail help investigate security incidents?

It can show which USER ACCOUNT performed an action and when it occurred

What is anti-malware software?

Software that detects, blocks and or removes malicious software

What is real-time anti-malware protection?

It monitors activity continuously and can block threats as they occur.

What does quarantining malware mean?

Isolating a suspicious or infected file to prevent it from affecting other files or the system.

Why must anti-malware software be updated?

Updates help it detect and protect against newly discovered malware and threats

What is a software update?

A change to existing software, often fixing security vulnerabilities, fix bugs and improves reliability and performance.

What is a software upgrade?

Moving to a newer or more advanced software version, often with significant new features.

How do security updates protect a computer?

They patch software vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.