Computer Science: Intellectual Property, Privacy, and Cyber Security

Vocabulary flashcards covering intellectual property, software licensing, privacy and data protection, offenses under the UK Computer Misuse Act 1990, cyber threats, and countermeasures.

Intellectual Property (IP)

Intangible creations of the human intellect—such as software code, algorithms, brand logos, and written documentation—that are legally protected from unauthorized use.

Shareware

Software distributed free of charge on a temporary, trial basis, usually restricted by a time limit (e.g., a 30-day trial) or with advanced features locked until the user purchases a full commercial license.

Freeware

Software that is completely free to use indefinitely but remains copyrighted, meaning users are legally forbidden from viewing, modifying, or selling the underlying source code (e.g., Skype or Adobe Reader).

Software Piracy

The unauthorized copying, distribution, modification, or use of copyrighted commercial software, which circumvents digital rights management (DRM) and violates intellectual property law.

Privacy

The fundamental right of an individual to control their personal information and determine how, when, and to what extent that data is shared with or observed by others.

Data Protection

The legal frameworks and technical mechanisms put in place to keep personal data safe, mandating that organizations collect data transparently, store it securely, use it only for its intended purpose, and delete it safely when no longer needed.

Computer Misuse

Illegal activities involving the unauthorized interception or manipulation of digital systems, classified into specific offenses under frameworks like the UK Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA).

Unauthorized access to computer material

An offense under the UK Computer Misuse Act 1990, commonly known as hacking, which involves logging into or exploring a system or file without permission, even if nothing is modified or stolen.

Unauthorized access with intent to commit further offenses

An offense under the UK Computer Misuse Act 1990 involving gaining unauthorized entry into a system with the specific goal of committing a deeper crime, such as identity theft, fraud, or blackmail.

Unauthorized modification of computer material

An offense under the UK Computer Misuse Act 1990 involving intentionally altering, deleting, or damaging data stored on a computer, including writing or deploying malicious code.

Malware

An umbrella term for any malicious software designed to exploit, disrupt, or damage a device or network.

Viruses

A specific type of malware that attaches itself to a legitimate program and relies on human action (like opening an infected email attachment) to execute and replicate.

Worms

Standalone malware programs that replicate and spread automatically across network connections without needing a host file or any human intervention.

Ransomware

A dangerous form of malware that encrypts a victim's files, rendering them completely inaccessible until a ransom payment is made for the decryption key.

Hacking

The act of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in a computer system or network to gain unauthorized access to data.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

An offensive tactic where cybercriminals use a network of hijacked, malware-infected computers (a botnet) to flood a target website or server with traffic, overloading its bandwidth and knocking it offline.

Antivirus & Anti-Malware Software

Programs that actively scan systems, detect known malicious signatures, and quarantine threats before they execute.

Firewalls

Network security barriers that monitor incoming and outgoing traffic, blocking unauthorized communication lines while letting safe data through.

Data Encryption

Scrambling files and communications into unreadable code, ensuring that even if data is intercepted or stolen via ransomware, it cannot be read without a cryptographic key.

Regular Software Patching

Installing regular operating system and application updates to fix security holes before hackers can find and exploit them.

Network Segmentation

Dividing networks into isolated sub-zones so an infection cannot easily spread.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Requiring multiple forms of verification (like an app notification or biometric scan) to stop unauthorized logins.