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Cyber security: threats and protection
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Criminals try to trick people and break into computers to steal data or money. Knowing their tricks is the best defence.
Tricking people
Social engineering means tricking people rather than hacking the computer.
Phishing: fake emails or messages that pretend to be from a bank, school or company, asking you to click a link or give your password.
Warning signs: urgent or scary wording, spelling mistakes, an odd sender address, links to a strange web address, requests for passwords.
Phishing: fake emails or messages that pretend to be from a bank, school or company, asking you to click a link or give your password.
Warning signs: urgent or scary wording, spelling mistakes, an odd sender address, links to a strange web address, requests for passwords.
Malware
Malware is malicious software.
A virus attaches itself to files and spreads when they are shared.
Ransomware locks your files and demands payment to unlock them.
Spyware secretly records what you do, such as your passwords.
A virus attaches itself to files and spreads when they are shared.
Ransomware locks your files and demands payment to unlock them.
Spyware secretly records what you do, such as your passwords.
Protecting yourself
Keep software and apps updated: updates fix security holes.
Use anti-malware software and a firewall.
Back up important files so ransomware cannot take them away.
Use strong passwords and two-step verification, and do not click unexpected links.
In the UK, the Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes it illegal to access a computer or account without permission.
Use anti-malware software and a firewall.
Back up important files so ransomware cannot take them away.
Use strong passwords and two-step verification, and do not click unexpected links.
In the UK, the Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes it illegal to access a computer or account without permission.
An email says: 'Your account will close in 24 hours! Click here and enter your password.' What should you do?
- Spot the signs: urgency and a request for your password.
- Do not click the link or reply.
- Report it, and check by going to the real website or app yourself.
Answer: Treat it as phishing: do not click, report it and check the account through the official site.
Phishing tricks people into giving details; malware includes viruses, ransomware and spyware. Protect yourself with updates, anti-malware, firewalls, backups, strong passwords and 2SV. Unauthorised access is illegal under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
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