Series 5 - Free Theory
Cybersecurity
Six lessons covering everything you need for cybersecurity in GCSE Computer Science. From malware types and social engineering, through technical attacks and defences, to layered security strategies. Exam-focused, interactive, and free.
Start Lesson 1All 6 Lessons
Work through in order or jump to a topic. Each lesson has interactive tools, a 5-question quiz, printable worksheets, and a full teacher panel with suggested timing, discussion questions and exit tickets.
1
Forms of Attack - Malware
Viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware and keyloggers. What each type does, how it spreads, and how to tell them apart in exam answers.
2
Social Engineering
Phishing, blagging, shoulder surfing and baiting. Why humans are consistently the most exploitable vulnerability in any security system.
3
Technical Attacks
Brute force, DoS and DDoS, SQL injection, packet sniffing and man-in-the-middle. How attackers exploit technical vulnerabilities in systems.
4
Technical Prevention
Firewalls, encryption, anti-malware, strong passwords, two-factor authentication and automatic updates. The technical toolkit for keeping systems safe.
5
Policies, Procedures & Physical Security
User access levels, acceptable use policies, physical security measures, penetration testing and backups. The organisational and human side of security.
6
Layered Defence & Exam Technique
Matching threats to defences, the defence-in-depth model, worked exam scenarios, and the most common mistakes students make in the paper.
Topics covered across the series
Viruses, worms and trojans
Ransomware and spyware
Keyloggers
Phishing and spear phishing
Blagging and shoulder surfing
Baiting attacks
Brute force and dictionary attacks
DoS and DDoS attacks
SQL injection
Packet sniffing and MITM
Firewalls (hardware and software)
Encryption and HTTPS
Anti-malware and updates
Two-factor authentication
User access levels
Penetration testing
Physical security measures
Defence in depth
Cybersecurity Flashcard Deck
All key vocabulary across all 6 lessons. Filter by lesson, flip to reveal definitions, mark terms as known.
Exam Practice Questions
10 MCQ + 5 written questions covering all 6 lessons. Instant feedback and mark schemes.