Common threats (malware, phishing, ransomware) in Intro to Computing - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the sentence to identify a common type of malware.

Intro to Computing

A program that secretly records your keystrokes is called a [1].

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Akeylogger

Bphishing

Cransomware

Dfirewall

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Confusing phishing with malware that records keystrokes.

Thinking ransomware records keystrokes.

A keylogger is a type of malware that records keystrokes to steal information.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the sentence to explain a phishing attack.

Intro to Computing

Phishing is when attackers try to [1] sensitive information by pretending to be someone trustworthy.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Asteal

Bbackup

Cdelete

Dencrypt

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Thinking phishing encrypts data.

Confusing phishing with backing up data.

Phishing is a trick to steal personal information by pretending to be a trusted source.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the description of ransomware.

Intro to Computing

Ransomware is a type of malware that [1] your files and demands payment to unlock them.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Adeletes

Bencrypts

Ccopies

Dshares

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Thinking ransomware deletes files permanently.

Believing ransomware copies files to attackers.

Ransomware encrypts your files, making them inaccessible until you pay a ransom.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to complete the sentence about phishing emails.

Intro to Computing

Phishing emails often [1] to look real and [2] you to click on dangerous links.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Apretend

Bwarn

Ctrick

Dignore

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'warn' instead of 'trick' for the second blank.

Using 'ignore' which does not fit the meaning.

Phishing emails pretend to be real and trick you into clicking harmful links.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to complete the explanation of ransomware behavior.

Intro to Computing

When infected by ransomware, your files are [1] using a secret key, attackers [2] a ransom, and victims must [3] carefully.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Aencrypted

Bdemand

Cdecide

Ddeleted

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'deleted' instead of 'encrypted' for the first blank.

Confusing 'decide' with 'ignore' for the last blank.

Ransomware encrypts files, attackers demand payment, and victims must decide carefully whether to pay.

Practice

1. Which of the following best describes phishing?

easy

A. Tricking someone to reveal personal information

B. Locking files and demanding money

C. Damaging or deleting files on a device

D. Improving device performance

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand phishing concept

   Phishing is a trick to get personal info by pretending to be trustworthy.

2. Step 2: Compare options to phishing

   Only Tricking someone to reveal personal information matches this description exactly.

3. Final Answer:

   Tricking someone to reveal personal information -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Phishing = Tricking for info [OK]

Hint: Phishing tricks you to share info, not damage files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing phishing with ransomware
• Thinking phishing damages files
• Mixing phishing with malware

2. Which of these is the correct description of ransomware?

easy

A. Software that deletes your files permanently

B. Software that locks your files and asks for money

C. A scam email asking for your password

D. A program that speeds up your computer

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall ransomware behavior

   Ransomware locks files and demands payment to unlock them.

2. Step 2: Match options to ransomware

   Software that locks your files and asks for money exactly matches this behavior.

3. Final Answer:

   Software that locks your files and asks for money -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Ransomware = Locks files + money demand [OK]

Hint: Ransomware locks files and demands money, not deletes permanently [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing ransomware with malware that deletes files
• Thinking ransomware is a phishing scam
• Believing ransomware improves performance

3. Look at this scenario:

"You receive an email asking to click a link to verify your bank details. The link leads to a fake website."

What type of threat is this?

medium

A. Phishing

B. Ransomware

C. Malware

D. Spyware

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the scenario

   The email tries to trick you into giving bank details via a fake website.

2. Step 2: Identify the threat type

   This is classic phishing: tricking for personal info using fake sites.

3. Final Answer:

   Phishing -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Fake site + trick = Phishing [OK]

Hint: Fake websites asking for info usually mean phishing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing phishing with ransomware
• Thinking malware always damages files
• Assuming spyware is the same as phishing

4. A user reports their files are locked and a message demands payment. Which step fixes the problem?

medium

A. Click the payment link to unlock files

B. Ignore the message and continue working

C. Run antivirus software and disconnect from the internet

D. Share your password with the sender

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the threat

   Locked files and payment demand indicate ransomware infection.

2. Step 2: Choose safe recovery action

   Running antivirus and disconnecting stops spread and helps remove ransomware safely.

3. Final Answer:

   Run antivirus software and disconnect from the internet -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Ransomware fix = Antivirus + disconnect [OK]

Hint: Never pay ransom; use antivirus and isolate device [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Paying ransom immediately
• Ignoring the problem
• Sharing passwords with attackers

5. A company wants to protect employees from malware, phishing, and ransomware. Which combined approach is best?

hard

A. Disable all internet access permanently

B. Only install antivirus software and ignore employee training

C. Ask employees to share passwords to detect phishing

D. Install antivirus, train employees on suspicious emails, and backup data regularly

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand threats and protections

   Malware needs antivirus, phishing needs training, ransomware needs backups.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   Install antivirus, train employees on suspicious emails, and backup data regularly combines antivirus, training, and backups, covering all threats effectively.

3. Final Answer:

   Install antivirus, train employees on suspicious emails, and backup data regularly -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Combined defense = Antivirus + Training + Backup [OK]

Hint: Best defense combines software, training, and backups [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Relying only on antivirus
• Ignoring employee awareness
• Disabling internet is impractical