Preventing cyber attacks
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the effects of cyber attacks and suggest ways they can be prevented.
Key learning points
- Cyber attacks can target individuals, organisations and countries.
- The effects of cyber attacks can be financial and disruptive.
- The WannaCry Ransomware Attack in 2017 affected more than 200 000 computers in 150 countries.
- The infection and spread of WannaCry may have been stopped by using a combination of security measures.
Keywords
Cyberattack - a deliberate attempt to damage, disrupt or gain unauthorised access to computer systems, networks or data
Ransomware - malware that blocks access to a user's data until payment is made
Common misconception
As long as you use all security measures, a computer system connected to a network can be totally safe from cyber attack.
No computer system on a network can be completely safe, even with all security measures. Cybercriminals can find new ways to attack, so security only reduces the risk and doesn't completely eliminate it.
Teacher tip
Find common analogies between computer crime and more obvious examples. For example, the safest house is one with no doors or windows, but it wouldn't be very nice to live in!
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the terms with their definitions:
Q2.What type of malware is disguised as a harmless program to trick users into installing it?
Q3.What type of malware spreads through a network without needing user interaction and uses resources to slow it down?
Q4.What is the role of bots in cybersecurity threats?
Q5.How can training users help protect a network?
Q6.What is the purpose of a firewall in cybersecurity?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the terms with their examples:
Q2.What is a cyber attack?
Q3.What is ransomware?
Q4.What was the impact of the WannaCry Ransomware Attack in 2017?
Q5.What is one effect of cyber attacks?
Q6.Can a computer system connected to a network be completely safe from cyber attacks if all security measures are used?
To help you plan your 9 computing lesson on: Preventing cyber attacks, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 computing lesson on: Preventing cyber attacks, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 computing lessons from the Introduction to cybersecurity unit, dive into the full secondary computing curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.