5.6 Safe Computing

Knowing what PII is (from 5.5) is only half the picture. Now we look at how it gets stolen, how systems get compromised, and how to defend against it — all part of College Board's IOC-2 standards.

IOC-2.C — how attackers get in

IOC-2.B — defense in depth

Good security is layered — if one fails, the next holds. Click each layer to expand.

IOC-2.B.5 — encryption types

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Symmetric 1 key

One shared key handles both encryption and decryption. Fast and efficient, but both parties must securely share the key beforehand.

Sender— key → encrypt— key → decrypt

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Public key 2 keys

A public key encrypts, a private key decrypts. Anyone can encrypt a message for you — only you can read it with your private key.

public key→ encrypt · private key→ decrypt

Certificate authorities (CAs)

CAs issue digital certificates that prove a public key genuinely belongs to who claims to own it. This trust model is what makes HTTPS work — your browser checks the certificate before trusting the connection.

5 questions — click to reveal

Key Vocabulary — Phishing, Keylogging, Rogue access point, Malware, Virus, MFA, Symmetric encryption, Public key encryption, Certificate authority.
Remember: Security isn't about being paranoid — it's about being intentional.

Class activity · IOC-2

✅ True or False — Cyber Attacks

Solo: answer before the timer runs out. Class projected: teacher reads the question aloud, students vote, then click Reveal Answer.

Mode:

0Correct

0Wrong

1/ 10

10Seconds

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TRUE

0

FALSE

0

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Round complete!

PHISHING LAKE — SECURITY TRAINING

Click on fish to intercept threats. Red fish carry cyberattacks — green fish are safe behaviors. React fast before threats swim past.

TIP: Real phishers use urgency, fear, and fake authority to steal your data.

SECURE 0

BREACHED 0

THREAT INTERCEPTED