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Subjects · Leaving Cert Technology

Leaving Cert Technology: Computers, data & security

How often Computers, data & security comes up on the Technology papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 7 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Computers, data & security, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Computers, data & security.

(a)What is a main advantage of an SSD over a hard disk drive (HDD)?
  1. Always cheaper per gigabyte
  2. No moving parts, so faster and tougher
  3. Stores data on spinning magnetic platters
(b)Why is multi-factor authentication more secure than a password alone?
  1. It encrypts the whole hard drive when logging in
  2. It removes the need for any password at all
  3. A stolen password alone is not enough to log in
(c)What is phishing?
  1. Fake messages tricking users into giving personal details
  2. Flooding a server with traffic so it cannot respond
  3. Malware that copies itself across a network all by itself
Show the answers

(a) No moving parts, so faster and tougher

(b) A stolen password alone is not enough to log in

(c) Fake messages tricking users into giving personal details

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Computers, data & security.

Higher Level

Asked on 7 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A6
2024A3, B2b
2023Not asked
2022A9
2021A3, B2c
2019A2, A3
2018A8
2017Not asked
2016A12

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

More Computers, data & security questions

Computers, data & security, 2 marks

Which spreadsheet formula finds the mean of cells A1 to A10?

  1. =SUM(A1:A10)
  2. =COUNT(A1:A10)
  3. =AVERAGE(A1:A10)
Show the answer

=AVERAGE(A1:A10)

AVERAGE adds the values and divides by how many there are. SUM gives the total, and COUNT gives how many cells hold numbers.

Computers, data & security, 2 marks

Why should security updates (patches) be installed promptly?

  1. They remove the need for passwords
  2. They fix weaknesses that attackers could exploit
  3. They add more storage space to the drive
Show the answer

They fix weaknesses that attackers could exploit

Flaws in software are found all the time, and patches close them. Unpatched systems are a common way in for malware such as ransomware.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A10, B2d
2024A10, B2c
2023A4, A10, B2c
2022A10
2021A10, B2c
2019A10
2018A5
2017A10, B2c
2016B3b

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

More Computers, data & security questions

Computers, data & security, 2 marks

Which of these is an input device?

  1. Monitor
  2. Printer
  3. Keyboard
Show the answer

Keyboard

Input devices send data into the computer: keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone and webcam. Monitors, printers and speakers are output devices.

Computers, data & security, 2 marks

Phishing is…

  1. Flooding a website with traffic to crash it
  2. A fake message that tricks you into giving personal data
  3. A virus that copies itself from computer to computer on its own
Show the answer

A fake message that tricks you into giving personal data

Phishing emails or texts pretend to be from a bank or delivery firm and link to fake sites. Check the sender, avoid the links and never share passwords or PINs.

Computers, data & security, 2 marks

Ransomware is malware that…

  1. Locks your files until a payment is made
  2. Shows unwanted adverts all over your screen
  3. Copies itself to other computers
Show the answer

Locks your files until a payment is made

Ransomware encrypts files and demands payment. Backups, updates and care with attachments are the best defences. The HSE was hit by a ransomware attack in 2021.

Other Technology topics

All of Leaving Cert Technology