Internet and Cyber Security

C · A malicious act causing theft, damage, or unauthorized access

A cyber threat is a potential danger or malicious act that causes disruption through theft, damage, or unauthorized access. Accidental problems like power cuts or hardware failure are not cyber threats because they lack harmful intention.

A · Phishing

Phishing is when criminals masquerade as trusted institutions such as banks to ask for personal information like passwords and OTPs. The urgency in the message is a classic phishing tactic.

C · Ransomware

Ransomware is the specific malware that encrypts all files and demands a ransom payment to restore them. Other malware may spy or disrupt, but ransomware holds data hostage.

D · Low self-esteem

Low self-esteem, isolation and withdrawal, and harmful habits are listed as psychological effects. Headaches are physical, depression is emotional, and anxiety is mental.

B · Anonymity

The three core objectives are confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Anonymity is not one of them — cybersecurity is about protecting data, not hiding identity.

A · True

Cybersecurity has three core objectives: confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

C · Malware entered through the downloaded file

Malware commonly enters through free games, unauthorized software, or fake apps. Slowing down a device is a listed effect of malware such as viruses and spyware.

C · One hacked platform lets a hacker control all other accounts

If you reuse one password everywhere, a hack on just one platform can allow a hacker to take control of all your other accounts. This is why password reuse turns a small breach into a total takeover.

D · Integrity

Integrity ensures that data is accurate and reliable and that no unauthorized person has altered it, using methods such as data verification. Confidentiality is about who can see data, and availability is about access when needed.

C · Loss of concentration — Mental effect

Loss of concentration is listed under mental effects, along with anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Stomach aches are physical, shame is emotional, and isolation is psychological.

C · Availability, because authorized users cannot reach the files

Ransomware encrypts files so authorized users cannot reach them, which breaks availability. The files still exist, but access is blocked — that is an availability failure.

D · Insider threats

Insider threats come from people within an organization, making them a human cause. Inadequate encryption, unprotected networks, and malware attacks are technical causes.

C · That cyber threats chain together, so defence must be layered

The source stresses that phishing, malware, and data leaks chain together, which is why defence must be layered. Strong passwords alone will not stop ransomware, and antivirus alone will not stop a convincing fake login page.

C · Strong passwords and encryption

Restricting who can view sensitive information is a confidentiality goal, achieved through strong passwords and encryption. Backups serve availability, and data verification serves integrity.

A · Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.

A cyber threat is defined as a malicious act with harmful intention. A power cut is accidental and lacks that intention, so it is not a cyber threat — and that is exactly why R explains A.

A · I and II only

Ransomware encrypts files and demands a ransom, so I and II are correct. It is a type of malware, not phishing — phishing is deception to steal information, a separate threat form.

C · Mandate the use of unique passwords for each service and implement a password manager for all employees.

Mandating the use of unique passwords for each service and implementing a password manager effectively addresses the issue of password reuse, which is a critical vulnerability in the event of a data breach. This approach ensures that even if one password is compromised, it does n…