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Subjects · Leaving Cert Computer Science

Leaving Cert Computer Science: Privacy & cybersecurity

How often Privacy & cybersecurity comes up on the Computer Science papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 3 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

OL Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Privacy & cybersecurity, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Privacy & cybersecurity.

(a)The 2021 cyberattack on the HSE used which type of malware?
  1. Adware
  2. Ransomware
  3. A keylogger
(b)What is phishing?
  1. Encrypting a victim's files and demanding a ransom to unlock
  2. Flooding a server with traffic so real users cannot connect
  3. Fake messages that trick people into giving personal details
(c)What is two-factor authentication?
  1. Logging in needs two different kinds of proof
  2. Logging in on two different devices at once
  3. Typing the same password twice to confirm it is right
Show the answers

(a) Ransomware

(b) Fake messages that trick people into giving personal details

(c) Logging in needs two different kinds of proof

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Privacy & cybersecurity.

Higher Level

Asked on 3 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A11
2024A12
2023Not asked
2022A7
2021Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Privacy & cybersecurity questions

Privacy & cybersecurity, 3 marks

Why is a long passphrase usually stronger than a short password?

  1. Long passwords are never stored
  2. Short passwords cannot be encrypted
  3. There are far more combinations to try
Show the answer

There are far more combinations to try

Each extra character multiplies the number of possibilities, so a brute-force attack takes far longer. Four random words can be long yet memorable.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025B15
2024Not asked
2023B15
2022Not asked
2021B13

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Privacy & cybersecurity questions

Privacy & cybersecurity, 2 marks

An email pretending to be from your bank, asking for your password, is…

  1. Ransomware
  2. A firewall
  3. Phishing
Show the answer

Phishing

Phishing tricks people into giving away details. Check the sender's address and never click the link; banks never ask for your password by email.

Privacy & cybersecurity, 2 marks

Malware that locks your files and demands payment is…

  1. Adware
  2. Ransomware
  3. Spyware
Show the answer

Ransomware

Ransomware encrypts files and asks for money for the key. The HSE was hit by ransomware in 2021. Regular backups let you recover without paying.

Privacy & cybersecurity, 2 marks

Which is the strongest password?

  1. T7#kp!2Lq9
  2. password123
  3. Dublin2008
Show the answer

T7#kp!2Lq9

A strong password is long and mixes upper and lower case, digits and symbols. Avoid words, names and dates that are easy to guess.

Other Computer Science topics

All of Leaving Cert Computer Science