Definition: A type of attack where cyber criminals trick you into providing personal information (like passwords) by pretending to be someone trustworthy, usually via email.
Example: An email from someone pretending to be your principal asking for your login information.
2. Malware
Definition: Malicious software designed to harm or exploit your computer or network.
Types: Viruses, worms, spyware, and ransomware.
Example: Downloading a game that secretly installs software to steal your personal information.
3. Ransomware
Definition: A type of malware that locks or encrypts your files and demands money (a ransom) to unlock them.
Example: A message that appears on your computer demanding money to regain access to your schoolwork.
4. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks
Definition: An attack where a website or network is overwhelmed with traffic, making it unavailable to users.
Example: A school website being flooded with fake traffic so students and staff can’t access it.
5. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks
Definition: When an attacker secretly intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties.
Example: A hacker intercepting your connection while using public Wi-Fi, allowing them to steal your login details.
6. Data Breaches
Definition: When sensitive information (like student records or staff data) is accessed without authorization.
Example: A hacker breaking into the school database and stealing student records.
7. Password Attacks
Definition: Attempts to steal or guess a user’s password.
Example: Using common passwords like "password123" makes it easy for attackers to guess.
8. SQL Injection
Definition: An attack where cybercriminals insert malicious code into a website’s database to steal or alter information.
Example: Exploiting a school’s website form to access and modify student grades.
9. Zero-Day Exploits
Definition: Attacks that take advantage of software vulnerabilities that developers don’t know about yet.
Example: A hacker using a security flaw in a school’s learning management system before it gets fixed.
10. Social Engineering
Definition: Manipulating people into divulging confidential information.
Example: A hacker pretending to be from the IT department asking for your password to “fix” an issue.