Networks and Cyber Security: Unit Exam A
LANs and WANs, routers, switches and access points, packets, IP addresses and DNS, protocols, encryption, firewalls and common threats.
Instructions
- Time allowed
- 25 minutes
- Total marks
- 25
- Calculator
- No calculator is permitted.
- Answer all the questions.
- The number of marks for each question is shown in brackets. Use it as a guide to how much to write.
- The clock at the top counts down from the real time allowed. When it reaches zero the paper is locked and marked, as it would be collected in the exam hall.
- Read every question to the end before answering. Where a question says tick two boxes, tick exactly two: ticking more than asked scores nothing. Type one word and number answers carefully, because they are marked exactly.
Questions
Answer every question, then finish the paper to have it marked. Marking as you go teaches you far less.
Tick one box.
- LC Two or more devices connected so they can share data and resources
A network connects devices so they can communicate and share.
| LAN | WAN | |
|---|---|---|
| The computers in one school building | ||
| The internet | ||
| A bank's offices in different cities joined together | ||
| A home network |
Tick one box in each row.
- LThe computers in one school building: LAN
- LThe internet: WAN
- LA bank's offices in different cities joined together: WAN
- LA home network: LAN
A LAN covers one site. A WAN covers a large area, joining sites together.
| Router | Switch | Wireless access point | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connects devices within a LAN and sends data to the right one | |||
| Connects a network to other networks, such as the internet | |||
| Lets devices join the network without a cable |
Tick one box in each row.
- LConnects devices within a LAN and sends data to the right one: Switch
- LConnects a network to other networks, such as the internet: Router
- LLets devices join the network without a cable: Wireless access point
Switches connect devices on a LAN, routers join networks, and access points provide Wi-Fi.
Tick one box.
- LB Packets can take different routes, and a lost packet can be sent again on its own
Packets share the network efficiently and only the missing ones need resending.
Tick one box.
- LD A number that identifies a device on a network
Each device on a network has an IP address so data can be delivered to it.
- LIt looks up the domain name and finds the matching IP address
- LSo the browser can connect to the right web server
DNS works like a phone book: it looks up the domain name, such as bbc.co.uk, and returns the matching IP address. The browser then uses that address to connect to the web server and request the page.
Tick one box.
- LA The internet is the network of networks; the web is the pages reached over it
The web is one service that runs on the internet, alongside email, streaming and more.
Tick one box.
- LA A set of rules for how data is sent
Protocols such as HTTPS are agreed rules so devices understand each other.
- Lsecure
Secure: the connection is encrypted.
Tick one box.
- LB Scrambles data so it cannot be understood without the key
Encrypted data is unreadable to anyone without the key.
Tick one box.
- LD Checks data coming into and going out of a network and blocks anything not allowed
A firewall filters traffic against a set of rules.
| Virus | Phishing | Ransomware | Brute force attack | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malware that encrypts your files and demands payment | ||||
| Trying every possible password until one works | ||||
| Malware that copies itself by attaching to other files | ||||
| Fake emails that trick people into giving details |
Tick one box in each row.
- LMalware that encrypts your files and demands payment: Ransomware
- LTrying every possible password until one works: Brute force attack
- LMalware that copies itself by attaching to other files: Virus
- LFake emails that trick people into giving details: Phishing
Ransomware holds files hostage, brute force guesses passwords, a virus spreads through files, and phishing tricks people.
- LTechnical protection such as a firewall or anti-malware software
- LAnother measure, such as strong passwords and 2FA, updates, backups, access levels or staff training
Install a firewall to block unauthorised traffic, and keep anti-malware software up to date. Staff should also use strong passwords with two factor authentication and be trained to recognise phishing.
- L20
40 / 2 = 20 packets.
Tick one box.
- LC A wired Ethernet cable
A cable is not affected by walls or interference.
This is an original Key Stage 3 assessment. Most questions are closed, so the marking is exact, and the written answers are marked against a mark scheme in the same style as a GCSE paper, so the format is familiar long before it counts.