Malware

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Types of Malware

Malware is any kind of malicious software that is installed without your knowledge or intent.

Viruses and worms

Viruses:
- Small pieces of code injected into other programs which spread from computer to computer.
Worms:
- Small pieces of code which spread across a network, similar to viruses but without a host program.

Trojan horses and ransomware

Trojan horses:
- Any form of malware which tricks the user into installing it by pretending to be a different program.
Ransomware:
- Encrypts files on an infected system and only decrypts files once a payment has been made to the hacker.

Spyware, rootkits, and backdoors

Spyware:
- Gathers information about a user by tracking their activity.
Rootkits:
- Modifies the computer's operating system to avoid detection by antivirus software.
Backdoors:
- Opens up an access channel to a computer that other malware can use to take over the machine.

How Malware Spreads

Malware uses clever techniques to spread across a network as fast as possible. The faster malware can spread, the more likely it is to be able to affect machines before it can be detected.

Installations

Users often willingly install malware if they are tricked into thinking that they are installing a different piece of software.
Common 'disguises' for malware include:
- Security updates.
- Software drivers.

Attachments

Opening attachments in emails such as Word and Excel documents can include 'macros'.
A macro is a small program that is given permission to run on the computer.
The macros can be set up to install malware.

Replication

Once one device on a network has been infected with a worm or a virus, then it becomes very easy for it to spread to other devices on the network.
The process of spreading to other computers is called self-replication.

1Computer Systems

1.1Systems Architecture

1.1.1Architecture Introduction

1.1.2Von Neumann Architecture

1.1.3Fetch-Execute Cycle

1.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance

1.1.5Elements of Computer Systems

1.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Von Neumann Architecture

1.2Memory & Storage

1.3Computer Networks, Connections & Protocols

1.4Network Security

1.4.1Forms of Attack

1.4.2Malware

1.4.3Social Engineering

1.4.4Phishing

1.4.5Common Active Attacks

1.4.6Information Security

1.4.7SQL Injection

1.4.8Network Administration

1.4.9Protecting Against Malware

1.4.10Authentication & Passwords

1.4.11Encryption

1.4.12End of Topic Test - Networks

1.5Systems Software

1.5.1Types of System Software

1.5.2Operating Systems

1.5.3Operating System Managers

1.5.4File Management

1.5.5Device Management

1.5.6User Management

1.5.7Utility Software: Encryption & Defragmentation

1.5.8Utility Software: Data Compression & Backup

1.6Ethical, Legal, Cultural & Environmental Concern

1.6.1Open Source vs Proprietary Software

1.6.2Licensing Issues

1.6.3Ethical Issues

1.6.4Ethical Issues 2

1.6.5Exam-Style Questions - Ethical Issues

1.6.6Legal Issues

1.6.7Legal Issues 2

1.6.8Freedom of Information Act (2000)

1.6.9Cultural Issues

1.6.10Environmental Issues

1.6.11Positive Environmental Impact

1.6.12Privacy Issues

1.6.13Stakeholders

1.6.14End of Topic Test - Software & Issues

2Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming

2.1Algorithms

2.1.1Computational Thinking

2.1.2Algorithmic Thinking

2.1.3Pseudocode & Flow Diagrams

2.1.4Interpreting & Correcting Algorithm

2.1.5Completing Algorithms

2.1.6Search Algorithms

2.1.7Binary Search

2.1.8Overview of Sort Algorithms

2.1.9Bubble Sort & Insertion Sort

2.1.10Merge Sort

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Sorting Algorithms

2.2Programming Fundamentals

2.2.1Fundamentals

2.2.2Program Flow 1

2.2.3Program Flow 2

2.2.4Arithmetic & Relational Operators

2.2.5Boolean Operators

2.2.6Data Types

2.2.7Arrays

2.2.8Strings

2.2.9File Handling

2.2.10Structuring Data

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Programming

2.2.12Exam-Style Questions - Translation

2.3Producing Robust Programs

2.3.1Defensive Design Considerations

2.3.2Defensive Design Considerations 2

2.3.3Maintainability

2.3.4Testing

2.3.5Test Plans

2.3.6Error Types

2.3.7End of Topic Test - Programming

2.3.8Exam-Style Questions - Testing

2.4Boolean Logic

2.4.1Computational Logic

2.4.2Boolean Logic

2.4.3Boolean Operators

2.4.4Grade 9 - Logic

2.5Programming Languages & IDEs

2.5.1High-Level vs Low-Level Languages

2.5.2Translation - Compliers & Interpreter

2.5.3Translation - Assemblers

2.5.4Integrated Development Environments

2.5.5Exam-Style Questions - Translation

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