Cyber Security — GCSE Computer Science Worksheet (AQA 8525)

A complete, no-prep, single-topic worksheet on cyber security for GCSE Computer Science, mapped to AQA 8525 (3.6 Cyber security). Students learn the forms of attack the exam expects — malware, social engineering, brute-force attacks, denial-of-service attacks, data interception and theft, and SQL injection — why people are often the weakest link, and the methods used to prevent vulnerabilities: penetration testing, anti-malware software, firewalls, user access levels, passwords and encryption, and physical security. Includes four exam-style questions, including the classic traps: a brute-force attack guesses passwords while a denial-of-service attack overwhelms a service, and a firewall, anti-malware software and encryption do three different jobs. The extension page asks students to spot the clues in a phishing email, rank defences for a small business on a limited budget, and write a school password policy, plus a full answer key with mark schemes, so marking takes minutes or students can self-mark. Print pages 2–3 for the class. 30–40 minutes, no equipment needed. Ideal for a cover lesson, homework, or targeted revision of cyber security.