ICT Grade 9: Information & Computer Security and Fundamentals of Programming

Vocabulary flashcards covering ICT Grade 9 Chapter 5 (Information and Computer Security) and Chapter 6 (Fundamentals of Programming), including security threats, cyber attack types, protective measures, and computational problem-solving methods.

Computer Security Threats

Potential negative events that can impact a computer system or application.

Natural Threats

Threats arising from natural events such as earthquakes, floods, lightning, and fires.

Extreme Temperature

Malfunction of computer equipment due to heat or cold outside the standard operating range.

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

A preventive measure against electric surges and lightning strikes.

Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks

The act of flooding targets with requests to stop regular users from connecting and accessing services.

Google Attack (2017)

A significant attack utilizing amplification techniques that targeted services and was absorbed by infrastructure with minimal disruption.

Banking Attacks (2012-2013)

Attacks against U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, causing service outages.

Malware

Malicious software designed to infiltrate and damage systems.

Trojan Horse

A type of malware disguised as legitimate software, often used to steal data or install other malware.

Virus

A self-replicating malicious code that attaches to legitimate programs and alters or corrupts files.

Melissa Virus

An example of a virus that spreads and replicates without the user's knowledge.

Computer Worm

A standalone, independent malicious program that replicates itself to spread to other computers without user intervention or host files.

ILOVEYOU Worm (2000)

A famous example of a computer worm that spread automatically via network connections.

Spyware

Malicious software that secretly monitors user activity and collects information without consent.

Ransomware

Malware that encrypts personal data and locks files until a ransom is paid.

WannaCry (2017)

A famous example of ransomware that delivered its payload via phishing or malicious downloads and locked victim files.

Key Loggers

A form of malware that records every keystroke on a keyboard to steal sensitive details like passwords and credit card information.

Botnet

A network of infected devices, or "bots," controlled by a hacker to carry out cyber attacks.

The Mirai Botnet (2016)

A botnet that infected IoT devices and launched massive DDoS attacks.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack

An attack where a hacker actively intercepts and potentially modifies communication between two parties.

Eavesdropping

The passive interception of data transmissions without the users' knowledge and without altering the communication (also known as sniffing).

Phishing

A threat tactic involving tricking users into clicking links or entering credentials to spread harm or steal logins.

Brute Force Attack

Trying all possible combinations of characters until the correct password is discovered.

Dictionary Attack

A password attack using a list of commonly used passwords to gain access.

Credential Stuffing

Using usernames and passwords obtained from data breaches to compromise accounts.

Cyber Bullying

Ridiculing or humiliating individuals online, leading to emotional distress.

Cyber Predators

Individuals who exploit younger people online by pretending to be someone else to gain trust.

90/10 Rule

A security guideline emphasizing that staying secure is $90\%$ awareness and $10\%$ technical practices.

Computational Problem

A problem solvable step-by-step using computers, characterized by well-defined inputs, constraints, and outputs.

Decision Problems

Computational problems that provide a "Yes" or "No" answer, such as "Is $n$ even?"

Search Problems

Computational problems focused on finding values that satisfy specific conditions.

Counting Problems

Computational problems that determine the number of solutions available for a given problem.

Optimization Problems

Computational problems focused on finding the best possible solution, such as the fastest route.

Polya's Four Steps

A problem-solving process consisting of: 1. Understand the Problem, 2. Make a Plan, 3. Execute the Plan, 4. Review and Extend.

Algorithm

A sequence of clearly defined, unambiguous instructions for solving a problem with a clear start and end.

Pseudocode

A structured representation of an algorithm using simplified syntax and English-like instructions for clarity.

Flowchart

A graphic representation of an algorithm using various boxes, ellipses, and arrows to show flow.

Terminator (Oval)

A flowchart symbol marking the starting or ending point of a system.

Action or Process (Rectangle)

A flowchart symbol representing a single step or a sub-process.

Decision (Diamond)

A flowchart symbol representing a branching point from which different outcomes emerge.

Input/Output (Parallelogram)

A flowchart symbol representing information or material entering or leaving the system.

Top-Down Approach

A problem-solving logic that starts with general modules and decomposes them into smaller, manageable sub-problems.

Bottom-Up Approach

A logic that begins with fundamental units or modules and integrates them to create larger functionality.

Incremental Development

Building programs piece by piece, often utilizing unit testing to ensure each component works before integration.