Vocabulary sheet for threats to data

Phishing- A type of threat that attempts to gain access to passwords, financial details or such other privileged information.

Malware- examples include computer worms, Trojan, horses, which appear as some benign program.

Physical barrier- these include turning off computers and locking offices when the systems are unattended to prevent damage by people.

Access level- these can be set up to allow individuals to have access to only specific levels of an application to prevent unauthorised users for accessing particular data.

Encryption- this is used to codify data so that it cannot be read by anyone who does not have the key to the code.

Identity theft- when someone steals your personal details in order to use them to open bank accounts , credit card , loans, a passport or driving licence in your name.

Purchase history

Computer systems are under threat of attack and the threats are continuous and ever-changing.

When a organisations secrets are spread to competitors or to the wider public, and particular advantage to the organisation will be lost.

Making a backup of data is the only way of recovering from a total data disaster.

Accidental damage- this can be cause by a natural disaster e.g. flooding. This is a loss in confidence.

It is also possible to back up data across a network