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Year 11
AQA

Malware: malicious software

I can describe malware and explain how it attacks systems.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11
AQA

Malware: malicious software

I can describe malware and explain how it attacks systems.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Malware is malicious software designed to harm, steal, or disrupt computer systems.
  2. There are different types of malware, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware.
  3. Each type of malware works differently, but they often trick users into downloading or installing them.
  4. Malware can cause serious damage, such as data loss, system failure or financial loss.

Keywords

  • Malware - any software designed to harm, exploit or secretly control a computer system, network or device

  • Infect - to spread something harmful like a virus or malware into a system

  • Stealing - the act of taking something that doesn’t belong to you, without permission and with no intention of giving it back

  • Ransom - the money cybercriminals demand after locking files or systems

Common misconception

Malware only affects computers, not phones or tablets.

Malware can infect any idevice that is connected to the internet, including smartphones, tablets and smart TVs. Mobile malware is increasingly common and can steal data, track location or lock users out of their devices — just like on computers.


To help you plan your year 11 computer science lesson on: Malware: malicious software, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Incorporate storytelling to explain how malware spreads and impacts victims. Turn famous or recent malware incidents into short, engaging stories. Storytelling helps students remember key concepts and see the human side of cybersecurity threats, making lessons more impactful.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is social engineering?
a method to design secure software
a technique to improve computer performance
a way to protect against cybercriminals
Correct answer: a cybercrime that manipulates people into revealing confidential information
Q2.
Which of the following is NOT a social engineering technique?
phishing
pharming
Correct answer: encryption
blagging
Q3.
Who is the target in social engineering attacks?
Correct answer: humans
computer systems
security software
firewalls
Q4.
What is the social engineering technique where someone pretends to be a trusted person to gain confidential information?
Correct Answer: blagging
Q5.
What is the social engineering technique where cybercriminals use fake emails or websites to trick people into revealing confidential information?
Correct Answer: phishing
Q6.
What is the technique called where users are redirected to fake websites to steal their information?
Correct Answer: pharming

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the term for software designed to harm, exploit or secretly control a system or device?
Correct Answer: malware
Q2.
What is the main goal of ransomware?
to steal passwords
Correct answer: to demand payment after locking files or systems
to track a user’s location
to delete all files on a system
Q3.
How does spyware affect a user?
Correct answer: it tracks user activity and steals sensitive information
it locks the user out of their device
it deletes files from the system
it spreads to other devices on a network
Q4.
What does a trojan malware disguise itself as?
a firewall
a network router
Correct answer: a harmless or useful program
a horse
Q5.
What is the difference between a virus and a worm?
a virus spreads on its own, while a worm needs user action
a virus only affects networks, while a worm affects devices
a worm only affects computers, while a virus affects phones
Correct answer: a worm spreads on its own, while a virus needs user action
Q6.
Which of the following statements about malware is True?
malware only affects computers, not phones or tablets
malware cannot infect devices connected to the internet
Correct answer: malware can infect any internet-connected device, including phones and tablets
malware only targets large organisations, not individuals