Lesson 1.4.2

1.4.2 Identifying and preventing vulnerabilities Quiz: OCR Computer Science, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

In partnership with Revision Ninja

Lesson 1.4.2, Identifying and preventing vulnerabilities: 20 multiple choice questions for the OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277), Unit 4: Network security, written with Revision Ninja.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. What is the term for authorised simulated attacks to find system weaknesses?

    • Malware scanning
    • Network bridging
    • Penetration testing
    • Risk analysis

  2. What software type is specifically designed to scan, detect and remove malicious programs?

    • Anti-malware
    • Word processor
    • Utility compiler
    • Operating system

  3. What hardware or software device monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic?

    • Router
    • Gateway
    • Firewall
    • Switch

  4. Which security control restricts user accounts to only necessary files and functions?

    • User access levels
    • Biometric scanners
    • Data compression
    • Audit logs

  5. What process converts plain text into unreadable cipher text using an algorithm?

    • Hashing
    • Defragmentation
    • Encryption
    • Compression

  6. Which measure is an example of physical security for a computer system?

    • Network firewall
    • Antivirus software
    • Complex password
    • Locked server room

  7. Which password feature best reduces the risk of a brute-force attack?

    • Short numbers
    • Length and complexity
    • Frequent changes
    • Dictionary words

  8. What term describes a weakness that an attacker could exploit?

    • Firewall
    • Protocol
    • Malware
    • Vulnerability

  9. Which threat is limited when a firewall blocks unauthorized connection attempts?

    • Hardware failure
    • Unauthorised network access
    • Data corruption
    • Phishing emails

  10. Which action does anti-malware take to stop a spreading virus?

    • Blocking ports
    • Increasing RAM
    • Removing infected files
    • Updating drivers

  11. An employee is given access only to the sales folder. Which prevention method does this illustrate?

    • User access levels
    • Firewall
    • Penetration testing
    • Encryption

  12. Which network security hardware examines traffic and blocks unauthorised access using predetermined rules?

    • Firewall
    • Switch
    • Router
    • Gateway

  13. Locking an account after repeated incorrect passwords limits which attack?

    • Interception
    • Brute-force attacks
    • Phishing
    • SQL injection

  14. Why do software updates help improve system security?

    • They clear caches
    • They patch vulnerabilities
    • They boost speed
    • They increase RAM

  15. Why is using a combination of security methods most effective?

    • Increases CPU speed
    • Covers more threats
    • Removes user errors
    • Eliminates hardware costs

  16. What action best removes a vulnerability found by penetration testing?

    • Rebooting system
    • Clearing browser
    • Upgrading monitor
    • Applying a patch

  17. Which method protects stored passwords from being read directly?

    • Encryption
    • Defragmentation
    • Backups
    • Compression

  18. Locking an unattended computer screen primarily prevents what risk?

    • Data fragmentation
    • Unauthorised access
    • Hardware failure
    • Virus infection

  19. Why must firewall rules be updated regularly?

    • Cables degrade over time
    • Hardware gets faster
    • IP addresses expire daily
    • New threats emerge

  20. What security approach requires a password plus a phone code?

    • Two-factor authentication
    • Single sign-on
    • Data encryption
    • Packet filtering

All OCR Computer Science quizzes