Twelve apps, twelve passwords
Lena uses twelve work apps. She reuses one password for all of them. One app is hacked. Now the thief has the key to all twelve.
Software needs protection too. Today you meet six software defences, from sign-in to scanning.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Anti-malware | Software that finds and stops harmful software. Anti-virus is one kind. |
| Malware | Software made to do harm. |
| Single sign-on | One set of login details for many services. Short form: SSO. |
| Multi-factor authentication | Proving who you are with two or more different kinds of proof. Short form: MFA. |
| Authentication | Proving that you are who you say you are. |
| Remote monitoring and management | Looking after devices from far away, with a tool. Short form: RMM. |
| Vulnerability | A weakness that an attack can use. |
| Vulnerability scanning | An automatic check that finds weaknesses in software and systems. |
| Application hardening | Closing weaknesses in an app and adding layers of protection. |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can explain what anti-malware, SSO, MFA, RMM, vulnerability management and application hardening do.
Starter: what you already know
Have a go
Starter: what you already know
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Anti-malware and anti-virus
Anti-malware protects against harmful software. It checks files and apps, blocks what it knows is bad and warns about what looks odd.
It needs updates, so it can know about new threats. It cannot catch everything. That is why other layers exist.
Sign-in methods: SSO and MFA
Single sign-on gives you one login for many services. It is easy for users. It is also easy for admins to switch off one person in one place.
Multi-factor authentication needs two or more kinds of proof: something you know, such as a password. Something you have, such as a phone token. Something you are, such as a fingerprint.
The three kinds of proof
| Kind | Example | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Something you know | Password, PIN | Can be guessed or stolen |
| Something you have | Phone token, key card | Can be lost or stolen |
| Something you are | Fingerprint, face | Cannot be changed if copied |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Check: sign-in
Have a go
Check: sign-in
4 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.