AP Computer Science Principles Flashcards: Safe Computing

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Safe Computing, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Computer Science Principles.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the primary purpose of a firewall in computing?

Answer: To block unauthorized access to or from a private network. Acts as a barrier between trusted internal and untrusted external networks.

Flashcard 2: What does the term 'data breach' refer to?

Answer: Unauthorized access to confidential information. Security incident where protected data is accessed without authorization.

Flashcard 3: What is the main function of antivirus software?

Answer: To detect, prevent, and remove malware. Software that protects computers by identifying and eliminating malicious programs.

Flashcard 4: Identify the term for unauthorized access to a computer system.

Answer: Hacking. Gaining access to systems without permission to steal or damage data.

Flashcard 5: What is a digital certificate?

Answer: An electronic document used to prove identity. Cryptographically signed document verifies identity and public key ownership.

Flashcard 6: What action protects data by converting it into a secure format?

Answer: Encryption. Converts readable data into coded format to prevent unauthorized access.

Flashcard 7: What is a sandbox in computing security?

Answer: An isolated environment to run untested code safely. Isolated execution prevents malicious code from affecting the main system.

Flashcard 8: What is a brute force attack?

Answer: A trial-and-error method to decode encrypted data. Systematically tries all possible combinations to crack passwords or keys.

Flashcard 9: What is phishing?

Answer: A method to steal sensitive information through deceptive emails. Fraudsters impersonate trusted entities to trick users into revealing data.

Flashcard 10: Which protocol is used to secure data transmission over the internet?

Answer: HTTPS. HTTP Secure encrypts data between browser and server using SSL/TLS.

Flashcard 11: What is social engineering in the context of security?

Answer: Manipulating individuals to divulge confidential information. Psychological manipulation exploits human trust rather than technical vulnerabilities.

Flashcard 12: What is the main function of antivirus software?

Answer: To detect, prevent, and remove malware. Software that protects computers by identifying and eliminating malicious programs.

Flashcard 13: Which type of attack involves overwhelming a system with traffic?

Answer: DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service). Multiple compromised computers flood target with traffic to cause outages.

Flashcard 14: What is the significance of a 'least privilege' policy?

Answer: To limit user access rights to the minimum necessary. Reduces attack surface by granting only essential permissions needed.

Flashcard 15: What is a strong password characteristic?

Answer: Includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Complexity makes passwords harder to crack through brute force attacks.

Flashcard 16: Which type of malware encrypts files and demands a ransom?

Answer: Ransomware. Encrypts victim's files and demands payment for the decryption key.

Flashcard 17: Which practice involves updating software to fix vulnerabilities?

Answer: Patching. Updates fix security holes that could be exploited by attackers.

Flashcard 18: Which term describes malicious software designed to harm or exploit?

Answer: Malware. Software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to systems.

Flashcard 19: What is the purpose of multi-factor authentication?

Answer: To enhance security by requiring multiple verification steps. Combines something you know, have, and are for stronger authentication.

Flashcard 20: Identify the term for unauthorized access to a computer system.

Answer: Hacking. Gaining access to systems without permission to steal or damage data.

Flashcard 21: What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Answer: A security process requiring two separate authentication methods. Combines password with second factor like SMS or authenticator app.

Flashcard 22: What is the primary purpose of a firewall in computing?

Answer: To block unauthorized access to or from a private network. Acts as a barrier between trusted internal and untrusted external networks.

Flashcard 23: Which term describes a network of infected devices under remote control?

Answer: Botnet. Compromised computers controlled remotely to perform coordinated attacks.

Flashcard 24: What is the function of a proxy server in network security?

Answer: To act as an intermediary for requests from clients. Hides client identity and can filter malicious content.

Flashcard 25: What is the main purpose of intrusion detection systems (IDS)?

Answer: To monitor for suspicious activities and policy violations. Detects unauthorized access attempts and security policy violations in real-time.

Flashcard 26: Which concept involves restricting access based on user identity?

Answer: Access Control. Determines who can access what resources based on authentication and authorization.

Flashcard 27: What is the significance of a 'least privilege' policy?

Answer: To limit user access rights to the minimum necessary. Reduces attack surface by granting only essential permissions needed.

Flashcard 28: What is social engineering in the context of security?

Answer: Manipulating individuals to divulge confidential information. Psychological manipulation exploits human trust rather than technical vulnerabilities.

Flashcard 29: What does the term 'data breach' refer to?

Answer: Unauthorized access to confidential information. Security incident where protected data is accessed without authorization.

Flashcard 30: What does the acronym 'VPN' stand for?

Answer: Virtual Private Network. Creates secure, encrypted connections over public internet networks.

Flashcard 31: Identify the practice of regularly backing up data.

Answer: Data Backup. Creates copies to restore data after corruption, deletion, or attacks.

Flashcard 32: What is phishing?

Answer: A method to steal sensitive information through deceptive emails. Fraudsters impersonate trusted entities to trick users into revealing data.

Flashcard 33: What is the primary goal of a security policy?

Answer: To establish guidelines for protecting information assets. Formal document outlines security procedures and responsibilities for organizations.

Flashcard 34: What is a sandbox in computing security?

Answer: An isolated environment to run untested code safely. Isolated execution prevents malicious code from affecting the main system.

Flashcard 35: What is a Trojan horse in computing?

Answer: Malware disguised as legitimate software. Appears harmless but contains hidden malicious code that activates later.

Flashcard 36: Identify the component that isolates internal networks from external access.

Answer: Firewall. Controls network traffic flow based on predetermined security rules.

Flashcard 37: What is the function of a CAPTCHA?

Answer: To differentiate between human and automated access. Prevents automated bots from accessing systems meant for humans only.

Flashcard 38: What is the function of a proxy server in network security?

Answer: To act as an intermediary for requests from clients. Hides client identity and can filter malicious content.

Flashcard 39: What is a strong password characteristic?

Answer: Includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Complexity makes passwords harder to crack through brute force attacks.

Flashcard 40: Identify a method of encrypting internet communications.

Answer: SSL/TLS. Cryptographic protocols secure data transmission over internet connections.

Flashcard 41: Identify the term for unsolicited bulk email.

Answer: Spam. Unwanted email sent in bulk, often for advertising or malicious purposes.

Flashcard 42: Identify the practice of regularly backing up data.

Answer: Data Backup. Creates copies to restore data after corruption, deletion, or attacks.

Flashcard 43: Identify a tool used to protect against data interception.

Answer: Encryption. Converts data into unreadable format to prevent eavesdropping attacks.

Flashcard 44: What is a Trojan horse in computing?

Answer: Malware disguised as legitimate software. Appears harmless but contains hidden malicious code that activates later.

Flashcard 45: Identify the component that isolates internal networks from external access.

Answer: Firewall. Controls network traffic flow based on predetermined security rules.

Flashcard 46: What is the primary goal of a security policy?

Answer: To establish guidelines for protecting information assets. Formal document outlines security procedures and responsibilities for organizations.

Flashcard 47: Identify a tool used to protect against data interception.

Answer: Encryption. Converts data into unreadable format to prevent eavesdropping attacks.

Flashcard 48: What does 'zero-day vulnerability' refer to?

Answer: A software flaw unknown to the vendor. No patch exists yet, making systems vulnerable until fix is released.

Flashcard 49: What does 'zero-day vulnerability' refer to?

Answer: A software flaw unknown to the vendor. No patch exists yet, making systems vulnerable until fix is released.

Flashcard 50: Which practice ensures data is recoverable after loss?

Answer: Data Backup. Protects against data loss from hardware failure or attacks.

Flashcard 51: Which type of attack involves overwhelming a system with traffic?

Answer: DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service). Multiple compromised computers flood target with traffic to cause outages.

Flashcard 52: Which practice involves updating software to fix vulnerabilities?

Answer: Patching. Updates fix security holes that could be exploited by attackers.

Flashcard 53: What is the purpose of a security audit?

Answer: To assess the effectiveness of security measures. Systematic review identifies weaknesses and ensures compliance with policies.

Flashcard 54: What is a brute force attack?

Answer: A trial-and-error method to decode encrypted data. Systematically tries all possible combinations to crack passwords or keys.

Flashcard 55: Which type of malware encrypts files and demands a ransom?

Answer: Ransomware. Encrypts victim's files and demands payment for the decryption key.

Flashcard 56: What is the function of a CAPTCHA?

Answer: To differentiate between human and automated access. Prevents automated bots from accessing systems meant for humans only.