LevelCareers Cybsersecurity Course__Interview Questions___General Cybersecurity Operations (Technical) Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is a honeypot and how does it work? <div>
A honeypot is a cybersecurity technique used to detect and deter unauthorized access to a network. It involves setting up a decoy system that looks like a legitimate part of the networkbut is actually isolated and monitored by security personnel. When an attacker attempts to access the honeypot techniques
and procedures (TTPs). Honeypots can be valuable tools for identifying threats and improving network security
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What is a firewall and how does it protect a network? <div>
A firewall is a security device or software program that controls access to a network. It monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and blocks unauthorized access based on a set of predefined rules. Firewalls can be used to block specific ports or protocols restrict access to certain IP addresses or domains
What is a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack and how does it work? <div>
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a type of cyberattack in which a large number of computers or devices (known as a botnet) are used to flood a target website or network with traffic. This flood of traffic overwhelms the target’s servers causing the website or network to become unavailable to legitimate users. DDoS attacks can be launched from anywhere in the world
What is encryption and how does it help protect data? <div>
Encryption is the process of encoding information so that it can only be read by authorized parties. It is used to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or interception during transmission or storage. Encryption works by using an algorithm to scramble the data into a ciphertext which can only be deciphered by someone who has the decryption key. Encryption is an essential tool for securing data and protecting privacy
finance
and government.</div>
What is a vulnerability scan and how does it help improve cybersecurity? <div><div><div><div><div><div><div>
A vulnerability scan is a type of cybersecurity assessment that identifies weaknesses in a network or system that could be exploited by attackers. It involves using automated tools to scan for vulnerabilities such as unpatched software weak passwords
the organization can take steps to remediate them
such as patching software
updating passwords
or changing configurations. Vulnerability scans are an important part of a proactive approach to cybersecurity and can help organizations identify and mitigate risks before they are exploited by attackers.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
What is multi-factor authentication and how does it improve security? <div>
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that requires users to provide multiple forms of authentication in order to access a system or application. Typically this involves combining something the user knows (such as a password) with something they have (such as a mobile phone or security token). By requiring multiple forms of authentication
even if they have obtained the user’s password.</div>
What is a virtual private network (VPN) and how does it help protect data? <div>
A virtual private network (VPN) is a technology that creates a secure encrypted connection between two points on the internet. VPNs are commonly used by remote workers and travelers to access company networks and resources from outside the office. By encrypting data as it travels across the internet
What is a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack and how can it be prevented? <div>
A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack is a type of cyberattack in which an attacker intercepts and alters communications between two parties who believe they are communicating directly with each other. MITM attacks are often used to steal sensitive information such as login credentials or financial data. To prevent MITM attacks organizations can use encryption technologies such as SSL/TLS to secure communications
What is ransomware and how does it work? <div>
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a victim’s computer and demands a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. Ransomware is typically spread through phishing emails or other social engineering techniques and can cause significant damage to businesses and individuals alike. To protect against ransomware
implement strong access controls
and educate users about the risks of phishing and other social engineering attacks.</div>
What is a Security Operations Center (SOC) and what is its role in cybersecurity? <div>
A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a dedicated team responsible for monitoring and responding to cybersecurity incidents within an organization. The SOC is typically staffed by trained security analysts who use a range of tools and techniques to identify analyze
and is an essential component of any effective cybersecurity program.</div>
What is a penetration test and how can it improve cybersecurity? <div
> A penetration test is a type of cybersecurity assessment that simulates a real-world attack on an organization’s network or systems. The test is typically carried out by an external security firm or specialist team and involves attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in the organization’s security defenses. The goal of the test is to identify weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers
as it can help organizations identify and address vulnerabilities before they are exploited by attackers.</div>
What is a network intrusion detection system (NIDS) and how does it work? <div>
A network intrusion detection system (NIDS) is a security technology that monitors network traffic for signs of suspicious activity. NIDS works by analyzing network traffic in real-time looking for patterns that indicate an attack or intrusion attempt. When a suspicious pattern is detected
What is a security information and event management (SIEM) system and how does it help improve cybersecurity? <div>
A security information and event management (SIEM) system is a software platform that aggregates and analyzes security events from across an organization’s network and systems. SIEM systems can provide real-time monitoring of security events automated alerting
SIEM systems can help improve cybersecurity by identifying and mitigating threats before they cause damage.</div><ol><br></br></ol>
What is a zero-day vulnerability and how can it be mitigated? <div>
A zero-day vulnerability is a previously unknown software vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers before a patch or update is released. Zero-day vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because there is no known defense or workaround to mitigate the risk. To mitigate the risk of zero-day vulnerabilities organizations should implement strong access controls
and monitor network activity for signs of suspicious activity.</div>
What is a security incident response plan and why is it important? <div>
A security incident response plan is a documented set of procedures for responding to cybersecurity incidents within an organization. The plan typically includes steps for detecting analyzing
and recovering from security incidents. Security incident response plans are important because they provide a structured
organized approach to responding to security incidents
which can help minimize damage and reduce the risk of further attacks.</div>
What is a web application firewall (WAF) and how does it protect web applications? <div>
A web application firewall (WAF) is a security tool that filters and monitors traffic between a web application and the internet. WAFs can be used to protect against common web-based attacks such as SQL injection cross-site scripting (XSS)
WAFs can help improve security and reduce the risk of data breaches.</div>
What is a security audit and how does it help improve cybersecurity? <div>
A security audit is a comprehensive review of an organization’s security posture policies and typically involve a combination of manual reviews and automated scans. The goal of a security audit is to identify vulnerabilities
weaknesses
and gaps in an organization’s security defenses
and to provide recommendations for improving security. Security audits are an important tool for improving cybersecurity
as they can help organizations identify and address security risks before they are exploited by attackers.</div>
What is a security policy and why is it important? <div><div><div><div><div><div><div
> A security policy is a document that outlines an organization’s approach to cybersecurity. Security policies typically cover topics such as access control incident response and employee training. Security policies are important because they provide a framework for implementing effective security practices within an organization
and help ensure that security is a priority at all levels of the organization. By defining clear security policies
organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches
improve compliance with regulations
and increase the overall security posture of the organization.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
What is a buffer overflow vulnerability and how can it be exploited? <div>
A buffer overflow vulnerability is a type of software vulnerability that occurs when a program tries to store more data in a buffer than it can hold. This can cause the program to crash or behave unexpectedly and in some cases can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or take control of a system. To exploit a buffer overflow vulnerability allowing them to execute their own code.
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What is a SQL injection attack and how does it work? <div>
A SQL injection attack is a type of cyberattack that targets web applications that use SQL databases. SQL injection attacks work by exploiting vulnerabilities in the way that applications process user input allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code into a database query. This can allow attackers to bypass authentication or modify the database in unintended ways. To prevent SQL injection attacks
organizations should use parameterized queries and other secure coding practices when building web applications.
</div>
What is a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack and how does it work? <div>
A cross-site scripting (XSS) attack is a type of cyberattack that targets web applications by injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. XSS attacks work by exploiting vulnerabilities in the way that web applications process user input allowing attackers to inject scripts that can steal sensitive data or take control of the victim’s browser. To prevent XSS attacks
What is a botnet and how does it work? <div>
A botnet is a network of compromised computers or devices that are under the control of an attacker. Botnets are typically used for malicious purposes such as distributing spam or launching DDoS attacks. Botnets can be created by infecting computers with malware such as a Trojan horse or a rootkit the attacker can use it to launch attacks on other systems or to steal sensitive data.
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What is a cryptographic hash function and how is it used in cybersecurity? <div>
A cryptographic hash function is a mathematical algorithm that takes input data and generates a fixed-size output known as a hash value. Hash functions are used in cybersecurity for a variety of purposes digital signatures
and data integrity verification. When used for password storage
hash functions can help protect against password cracking by ensuring that an attacker cannot easily reverse-engineer the original password from the hash value.
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What is a secure shell (SSH) and how is it used in cybersecurity? <div>
Secure Shell (SSH) is a network protocol that provides secure encrypted communications between two untrusted hosts over an insecure network. SSH is commonly used for remote command-line login and remote command execution
