🏆 Score: 0 / 22
1 [3 Marks Total]
Complete the sentences using terms from the list.
Bandwidth Encryption Packet Sniffer Firewall Flooding Latency
(a) A Denial of Service (DoS) attack works by a server with useless traffic.
(b) Data interception often uses software known as a to capture data travelling over a network.
(c) A DoS attack aims to consume the of a web server so legitimate users cannot access it.
✅ Mark Scheme

(a) Flooding (1)

(b) Packet Sniffer / Sniffer (1)

(c) Bandwidth / Processor / RAM (1)

Score yourself (Max 3):
2 [5 Marks Total]
An online retailer is under attack from a single IP address sending millions of requests.
(a) Identify the attack. [1] (b) Explain how this crashes the site (refer to server resources). [3] (c) State one impact other than the website being offline. [1]
✅ Mark Scheme

(a) Denial of Service / DoS (1). (Not DDoS as it's a single IP).

(b) Flooding with requests (1) consumes bandwidth/CPU/RAM (1) so server can't process legitimate requests (1).

(c) Loss of revenue/trust/reputation (1).

Score yourself (Max 5):
3 [6 Marks Total]
Sam uses public Wi-Fi at a train station.
(a) Describe how a hacker steals details via data interception. [2]
Hint: Mention "Packet Sniffer" or monitoring traffic.
(b) Explain why a Firewall does NOT protect against this. [2]
Hint: Firewalls protect the device, not the data once it leaves.
(c) Explain how the "padlock" icon helps. [2]
Hint: Think about Encryption.
✅ Mark Scheme

(a) Using packet sniffing software (1) to monitor/capture data packets on the network (1).

(b) Firewalls protect the device from unauthorised access (1) but cannot stop interception of data once it is transmitted (1).

(c) Represents Encryption/HTTPS (1). Scrambles data so it is unreadable if intercepted (1).

Score yourself (Max 6):
4 [6 Marks Total]
Compare DoS and Data Interception.
(a) Purpose of each attack: [2] (b) Prevention/Mitigation for each: [4]
✅ Mark Scheme

(a) Purpose: DoS = Shutdown/Disrupt (1). Interception = Theft/Stealing Data (1).

(b) Prevention:

  • DoS: Firewall (blacklist IP), Bandwidth limits. (2)
  • Interception: Encryption, VPN, Avoid Public Wi-Fi. (2)
Score yourself (Max 6):