In this unit, you will learn about the impact of the use of digital devices on individuals, organisations and society, as well as the risks of operating online to individuals and organisations.

The digital world offers great opportunities to those who can access it. However, it is important to appreciate that not everyone has access to it and that those people who do have access must manage the risks of using powerful and developing technologies

Unauthorized access is when a person gains entry to a computer network, system, application software, data, or other resources without permission.

The most common reasons for unauthorized entry are to:

1. Steal sensitive data

2. Cause damage

3. Hold data hostage as part of a ransomware attack

4. Play a prank

Sometimes, devices on a network can be targeted by unauthorised users in order to be used as botnets. Botnets are groups of computers that have their resources used for harmful purposes, such as running and spreading malware.

Malware can show messages, play sounds, delete files or reprogram systems to perform tasks that will harm the system and the connected hardware.

Some malware (known as ransomware) threatens to delete a user's files or places restrictions on a user's access to software or resources until money is paid, usually to an anonymous account. These messages are usually very threatening and distressing for users. They are often written in a way that makes the user believe that they must pay quickly. This puts pressure on the user to act before they have time to think clearly about the threat and how to manage it.

Users can sometimes delete files or even the entire contents of a drive by mistake. This can happen if:

1. they press a key on a keyboard by accident

2. they format media on the wrong storage device

3. their device loses power unexpectedly.

Criminals use a number of methods to steal personal data.

Firewalls control the data travelling into and out of a network. They examine the network addresses and ports of the data. They then compare those details to a list of rules that can be changed by network administrators. The list of rules determines what traffic should be allowed to travel into and out of the network.

In this way, firewalls can prevent unauthorised access to a network and protect the network from malware. See Unit 2 Connectivity (page 90) for more information about firewalls

Encryption is a means of securing digital data using one or more mathematical techniques, along with a password or "key" used to decrypt the information. The encryption process translatesor scrambles information using an algorithm that makes the original information unreadable.

Anti-malware prevents malware from accessing or operating on computers. It scans computer files in real time and allows users to scan files, folders, disks or whole systems

Adware displays unwanted adverts to users.

Anti-adware software detects, quarantines and removes adware.

When a user chooses to use a card online, they are sometimes asked to authenticate the payment by entering a password using a secure system. These systems are used by financial organisations such as Mastercard®, which operates the Mastercard SecureCode® system.