Computer Knowledge ยท General Awareness
Information Security
4,143 Questions
Information security involves protecting computer systems and data from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and damage. It is a core part of the computer knowledge section in various banking and government exams. Practicing these concepts helps in understanding digital signatures, network security, and access control effectively.
Cybersecurity threatsAccess controlCryptography basicsSecurity risk managementDatabase protection
Information Security Questions
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External
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Internal
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Structured
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Unstructured
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Structured threats come from highly motivated and technically competent hackers (often organized crime or state-sponsored). They use sophisticated methods and significant resources. Unstructured threats are from opportunistic attackers with limited skills. Internal and external refer to the source location, not the attacker's capability level.
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Function values
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Group mechanisms
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Effective storage
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Suspended programs
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Group mechanisms reduce the size of access control matrices by assigning permissions to groups rather than individuals - users inherit group permissions, dramatically reducing the matrix size. Function values and effective storage are not standard access control techniques. Suspended programs are unrelated to access control.
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Resource manager
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Reference monitor
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Suspended program
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Access control matrix
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The reference monitor is the security concept that mediates all accesses to objects by subjects, making access control decisions. It enforces security policies by checking each access request against authorization rules. Resource managers handle resource allocation, suspended programs are inactive processes, and access control matrix is a model for organizing permissions, not the decision mechanism itself.
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The intruder
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The network administrator
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The user who initiated the session
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The resource manager
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The user who initiated the session is held accountable because they authenticated and established the session. Security accountability is tied to the authenticated identity, not the actual actor who may have hijacked the session. The network administrator manages the system, and the intruder is the attacker, not the accountable party. Resource managers handle storage allocation.
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System should indicate to the user that password is already linked to another user, as this comprimises password confidentialty
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Ignore and simply complete the password set process
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System cannot detect that the user's password are same
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Generate a password automatically such that it doesn't duplicate with any other users password and indicate the user of his auto generated password
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Eavesdropping
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Replay attacks
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Social engineering
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Trojan horses
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All of the above
E
Correct answer
Explanation
All listed techniques are valid methods for compromising password security. Eavesdropping captures passwords during transmission, replay attacks reuse previously captured authentication credentials, social engineering tricks users into revealing passwords, and Trojan horses can capture keystrokes or stored passwords. Since each option represents a legitimate attack vector, 'All of the above' is the correct comprehensive answer.
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Symmetric encryption
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Assymetric encryption
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Block ciphers
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Digital signatures
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Kerberos uses symmetric encryption (secret key cryptography) to authenticate users and services. It relies on a trusted third-party Key Distribution Center (KDC) that shares secret keys with all parties. Asymmetric encryption uses public-private key pairs, digital signatures provide non-repudiation, and block ciphers are symmetric encryption algorithms but not the specific answer for Kerberos authentication.
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Dynamic
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One time
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Static
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Hybrid
B
Correct answer
Explanation
One-time passwords (OTPs) are valid for a single login session and then discarded, providing protection against replay attacks. Dynamic passwords change periodically but may not be single-use, static passwords remain constant, and hybrid passwords combine multiple password types. OTP is the specific term for single-session passwords that are immediately invalidated.
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Data collection techniques
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Enrollment time
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Throughput rates
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User and system contact
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Larger biometric data files take longer to process and transmit, directly affecting throughput rates (how many authentication requests can be processed per time unit). Data collection techniques are about capture methods, enrollment time is about initial template creation, and user-system contact is about interaction quality. Throughput is the performance metric most impacted by file size in production environments.
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Physical
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Technical
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Administrative
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Logical
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Administrative access control imposes managerial, operational, and accountability policies through procedures, training, and oversight. Physical access control manages physical entry, technical/logical access control uses hardware/software mechanisms, and logical is a subset of technical. Administrative controls are the 'human' policies and procedures layer of security.
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Hash encryption
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Digital certificates
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Symmetric encryption
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Assymetric encryption
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SYSKEY
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DLL injection
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Brute-force attacks
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Passwd+
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One time password
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Static passwords
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Dynamic passwords
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Hybrid passwords
A
Correct answer
Explanation
One-time passwords (OTP) are the most secure option listed because they are valid only for a single use or short time window. Even if intercepted, they cannot be reused. Static passwords remain the same and are vulnerable to reuse. Dynamic passwords may change but often follow predictable patterns. Hybrid passwords combine methods but still lack the fundamental security property of OTPs - single-use validity.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) is better suited for password storage than AES, 3DES, or RSA because SHA is a cryptographic hash function, not an encryption algorithm. Passwords should never be stored in reversible form - if encrypted, they could potentially be decrypted. Hashing is one-way: even if the hash is compromised, the original password cannot be retrieved. SHA-256 or SHA-512 are commonly used for secure password storage (typically with salt). AES and 3DES are symmetric encryption algorithms, and RSA is asymmetric encryption - all reversible.
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When a user fails to terminate the session properly
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When an intruder accesses another users session
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When a succession of failed login attempts have occured
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When a user leaves a host during an active session
D
Correct answer
Explanation
An unattended session occurs when a user leaves a host during an active session. This is a security vulnerability because the session remains authenticated and accessible without the authorized user present. An intruder could then access the session or perform actions under the stolen identity. The other options describe different scenarios: improper termination, intruder session hijacking, and failed login attempts - none of which define an unattended session.