Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

• File repair (software) (1)
• Backup (software) (1)
• Data compression (software) (1)
• Disk defragmentation (software) (1)
• Anti-malware (software) (1)

Allow antivirus software.

Do not accept file management, process management, peripheral management or user management, as these are functions of the operating system.

Do not accept operating systems (e.g. Windows, Linux) or application software (e.g. word processor, web browser).

Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

• Fingerprint scan (1)
• Face recognition (1)
• Iris/retina scan (1)
• Voice recognition (1)
• Palm print/vein scan (1)
• Smart card (1)
• Security token (1)
• Authenticator app (1)

Allow one-time passcode (OTP) for authenticator app.

Do not accept password (given in the question).

Do not accept username/user ID (it identifies the user but does not authenticate them).

Do not accept 'two-factor authentication' on its own (it is a combination of methods, not a method itself).

Do not accept 'encryption'.

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• It allows the operating system/OS to communicate with the device/printer (1) because it translates the commands into signals the device understands (1)
• It contains/sends the instructions/commands needed by a particular device (1) so the device carries out the correct actions (1)
• It controls the device/printer (1) by sending commands/signals to it (1)
• Different devices need different commands (1) so each one needs its own driver to work with the operating system (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Do not accept 'it drives/controls the device' on its own without saying how, e.g. by sending commands/signals.

Do not accept hardware/a physical device (a device driver is software).

Do not accept 'it connects the printer to the computer' or 'it installs the printer' without saying that it provides the instructions/commands for the device.

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• The operating system decides which process will use the CPU next (1) so the processor is shared between processes/processes take turns (1)
• The operating system allocates CPU time to each process/gives each process a small amount of time on the CPU (1) so multitasking can take place/several programs can appear to run at once (1)
• The operating system manages the state of each process, e.g. ready/running/blocked (1) so a process waiting for input/blocked does not stop other processes running (1)
• The operating system can terminate/end a process that has stopped responding (1) so it does not affect other processes/the computer keeps working (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Do not accept the idea that the CPU runs two or more processes at exactly the same time; multitasking shares CPU time.

Do not accept 'the OS shares the CPU' on its own without saying how/why, e.g. giving each process a turn/CPU time.

Do not accept 'it stops programs crashing' without a link to process management, e.g. ending a process that has stopped responding.

Do not accept 'it manages processes' without saying what the operating system does.

Indicative content

How malware could affect the charity's computers

• A virus could damage or delete the charity's files, such as its records of donations.
• Spyware could record keystrokes and send staff passwords or personal data to a hacker.
• A Trojan horse could hide malicious code inside a useful-looking program that a volunteer downloads, so it is installed without the user knowing.
• Malware could spread from one laptop to another through files shared on the charity's network, so more laptops become infected and more files are lost.

How anti-malware software finds and deals with malware

• It scans files and compares their code with a database of known malware patterns (signatures) to identify a match.
• It can apply rules (heuristics) to decide whether a program is behaving suspiciously.
• A suspicious file can be run in a sandbox to see whether its behaviour is malicious.
• When malware is found, the file is quarantined so that it cannot run, and it can be deleted.
• Downloads and email attachments can be scanned before a member of staff opens them.

What else the charity must do for the anti-malware software to be effective

• The database of malware definitions must be kept up to date, or new malware will not be recognised.
• Staff and volunteers should be trained not to open unexpected attachments or download from unreliable sites.
• Backups are still needed, because anti-malware cannot repair files that malware has already damaged.
• Scheduled scans must be allowed to run on all 15 laptops, so that malware is found even if no one opens the file.

Levels

• Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic, independent points are made, showing elements of understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion will contain basic information with little linkage between points made or application to the context. (AO2)
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates adequate understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure and application to the context. (AO2)
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science to support the discussion being presented. (AO1) The discussion is well developed, with sustained lines of reasoning that are coherent and logically structured, and which clearly apply to the context. (AO2)

Level 3 responses must cover both how malware could affect the computers and how anti-malware software finds or deals with it; a brief deal-with point and an unexplained update point, with no identification method and no effect on the charity's files, are Level 1.

Do not accept anti-malware software described as a firewall, or 'scans files'/'finds viruses' on its own as a method of identifying malware.