Cyber Security - AQA GCSE Computer Science Revision

Topic overview

What you need to know

Cyber security protects confidentiality, integrity and availability against malware, social engineering, unauthorised access and network attacks.

Exam tip

Match each defence to the named threat and explain how it reduces the risk; avoid generic lists.

Revision notes

Secure these ideas first. Say each definition in your own words, then connect it to the topic overview.

Malware: Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, spy on or gain unauthorised access.
Phishing: A social-engineering attack that impersonates a trusted source to steal information.
Brute-force attack: Trying many possible credentials until the correct one is found.

Revision notes

The exam will rarely ask for an isolated definition. Practise selecting the right idea and using it as part of a complete explanation or method.

Firewall: Hardware or software that filters network traffic using security rules.
Encryption: Transforming data with a key so unauthorised users cannot understand it.
Penetration testing: Authorised attempts to find and report security weaknesses.

Core knowledge

6 essentials

Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, spy on or gain unauthorised access.

A social-engineering attack that impersonates a trusted source to steal information.

Trying many possible credentials until the correct one is found.

Hardware or software that filters network traffic using security rules.

Transforming data with a key so unauthorised users cannot understand it.

Authorised attempts to find and report security weaknesses.

Active recall

1.Without looking, explain malware and give one example or consequence.
2.Without looking, explain phishing and give one example or consequence.
3.Without looking, explain brute-force attack and give one example or consequence.
4.Without looking, explain firewall and give one example or consequence.

Content reviewed 23 July 2026 against the current linked specification.

Mark the notes complete, then test what you can recall.