CompTIA Security+ (Sy0-201) Quiz 2 Of 4

The administrator should first check if the user has sufficient rights to print to the printer. This is because the access denied message suggests that the user may not have the necessary permissions to use the printer. By verifying the user's rights, the administrator can ensure that the issue is not related to permissions before investigating other possible causes such as paper size, toner, or printer tray.

The first action for the technician to take is to verify that the user's permissions are correct. This is because the user had access to the file yesterday, indicating that there might be an issue with their permissions. By checking and ensuring that the user has the necessary permissions to access the file, the technician can troubleshoot and resolve any permission-related issues that may have caused the denial of access.

A pop-up blocker is a feature that is typically found in web browsers. It is designed to block or prevent pop-up windows from appearing while browsing the internet. These pop-up windows often contain advertisements or other unwanted content, and can be disruptive to the user's browsing experience. By having a pop-up blocker, web browsers can provide a more seamless and uninterrupted browsing experience by blocking these unwanted pop-up windows.

SSID broadcast allows a person to find public wireless access points. When a wireless access point broadcasts its SSID (Service Set Identifier), it becomes visible to nearby devices. This allows users to easily identify and connect to the network. While disabling SSID broadcast can enhance security by making the network less visible, it can also make it more difficult for users to find and connect to the network. Therefore, enabling SSID broadcast is commonly used for public wireless access points to ensure easy accessibility for users.

A logic bomb is a type of malicious code that is specifically designed to execute a harmful action when a certain date or time condition is met. It remains dormant until the trigger event occurs, at which point it can delete files, corrupt data, or cause other disruptive actions. Unlike trojans, worms, and botnets, which can be triggered by various events or actions, a logic bomb relies solely on a specific date or time key to activate its malicious payload.

A honeypot is a security mechanism that sets up a fake network or system to attract hackers and gather information about their techniques and intentions. In this scenario, the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is acting as a honeypot by creating a decoy network that the hacker is attacking. By luring the hacker to the honeypot, security professionals can study the hacker's methods, identify vulnerabilities, and enhance their overall security posture.

A password cracker is a tool used by administrators to test the strength and security of passwords. It helps identify weak passwords that can be easily guessed or cracked by attackers. By using various techniques such as brute-force attacks or dictionary attacks, a password cracker can systematically attempt different combinations of characters and uncover passwords that are vulnerable to unauthorized access.

NIDS (Network-Intrusion Detection System) Passive Response Options:
Notification communicates intrusion event-related information to the appropriate personnel when an event has occurred. This includes relaying any relevant data about the event to help evaluate the situation. If the IDS is manned full-time, messages can be displayed on the manager's console to indicate that the situation is occurring. (Domain 2.4)

A targeted distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack involves overwhelming a target's network or website with a massive amount of traffic, rendering it inaccessible. Botnets, which are networks of compromised computers controlled by a single entity, are commonly associated with DDoS attacks. The attacker can use the botnet to send a flood of traffic to the target, amplifying the impact of the attack. This makes botnets the most commonly associated security threat with targeted DDoS attacks.

In the secure disposal of computers, it is important to ensure that computer media is sanitized. This means that all data on the media, such as hard drives or flash drives, must be completely erased or destroyed to prevent any sensitive information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Sanitizing the media helps to protect against data breaches and identity theft.

The developer implemented a logic bomb in the financial system. A logic bomb is a malicious code that is inserted into a software system and is triggered by a specific event or condition, in this case, the processing of the developer's termination papers by human resources. Once triggered, the logic bomb would activate and initiate the unauthorized transfer of money to a foreign bank account. This represents a security threat as it could result in financial loss and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Fiber, as a media, is relatively secure because it can't be tapped easily. Most known methods of tapping fiber are easily detectable by an IDS. (Domain 2.6)

The service provided by message authentication code (MAC) hash is integrity. A MAC hash is used to verify the integrity of a message by generating a unique tag or code that is appended to the message. This tag is calculated using a secret key and the message itself, and it ensures that the message has not been tampered with during transmission. By comparing the calculated tag with the received tag, the recipient can verify the integrity of the message and ensure that it has not been modified or corrupted.

A service pack is a collection of fixes for an application or operating system that has been tested by the vendor. It typically includes updates, enhancements, and patches to address known issues and vulnerabilities. Service packs are released periodically to provide users with a consolidated and reliable set of updates that can be applied to their systems. They ensure that the software remains up-to-date, secure, and stable, while also improving its performance and functionality.

If the physical server crashes, all of the local virtual servers go offline immediately. This is a risk associated with a virtual server because virtual servers rely on a physical server to host them. If the physical server fails, all of the virtual servers running on it will also fail and become unavailable. This can result in downtime and disruption of services for the virtual servers' users.

Job rotation is the correct answer because it involves employees switching roles or positions within a company. In this scenario, the purchasing agent and accounts receivable agent are exchanging positions, which allows for a fresh perspective and increased oversight of past transactions. Job rotation can help prevent fraud, increase employee skills and knowledge, and promote a more well-rounded workforce.

A Faraday cage is a mechanism that prevents electromagnetic emanations from being captured. It is a sealed enclosure made of conductive material, such as metal, that blocks external electromagnetic fields. The conductive material absorbs and redistributes the electromagnetic energy, preventing it from escaping or entering the cage. This helps to protect sensitive electronic devices from electromagnetic interference and prevents unauthorized access to electromagnetic signals.

This scenario is an example of a false positive. A false positive occurs when a system or software incorrectly identifies something as a threat or error when it is actually safe or valid. In this case, the anti-virus server is flagging an approved application as a threat, which is a false positive because the application is not actually harmful.

Two-factor authentication involves an additional step beyond the normal password (one-factor) entry. Your CAC +PIN is a good example of two-factor method. (Domain 3.7)

SIDE STUDY
Single sign-on - passes authentication information to trusted systems after the initial logon by the user.
One factor-authentication - normally a username and password are all that is required for access.
NTLMv2 - NTLM (NT LAN Manager) is a suite of Microsoft security protocols that offers authentication, integrity, and confidentiality to users. NTLM is the successor to Microsoft LAN Manager (LANMAN).

DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) - a derivative of a DoS attack in which multiple hosts in multiple locations all focus on one target to reduce its availability to the public. (Domain 2.1)

SIDE STUDY:
DoS (Denial of Service) - a type of attack that prevents any users - even legitimate ones - from using a system.
MAC (Media Access Control) - A sublayer of the Data Link layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model that controls the way multiple devices use the same media channel. This is a communication protocol, not an attack.
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) used to map known IP addresses to unknown physical addresses. This is a communication protocol commonly used by routers.

Mantraps are physical security devices designed to prevent unauthorized access to a secure area. They consist of a small enclosed space with two doors, where the first door must close and lock before the second door can open. This prevents multiple people from entering the secure area by piggybacking, which is when an unauthorized person follows closely behind an authorized person to gain access. Therefore, mantraps are specifically used to prevent piggybacking.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) allows for a secure connection to be made through a web browser. It provides encryption and authentication, ensuring that the data transmitted between the web browser and the server is protected from unauthorized access or tampering. SSL is commonly used for secure online transactions, such as e-commerce websites, online banking, and secure login pages. It establishes a secure connection by encrypting the data and verifying the identity of the server, providing a secure and trustworthy communication channel.

Creating a virtual server on existing equipment is the quickest method to create a secure test server for a programmer. This option utilizes the existing equipment, which saves time and resources compared to installing a network operating system on new equipment or existing equipment. Additionally, a virtual server provides a secure environment for testing without affecting the main server or network.

Comparing the final MD5 hash with the original is the best way to verify that the patch file has not been modified. MD5 is a widely used cryptographic hash function that generates a unique hash value for a given file. By comparing the final MD5 hash of the downloaded patch file with the original MD5 hash provided by the manufacturer, any changes or modifications to the file can be detected. If the hashes match, it ensures the integrity and authenticity of the file, indicating that it has not been tampered with since the manufacturer released it.

A mantrap is a security device that consists of two interlocking doors or gates. It allows only one person to pass through at a time, preventing unauthorized individuals from piggybacking or following authorized staff into the data center. By installing a mantrap at the data center, the CIO can ensure that only one person is allowed entry at a time, effectively stopping the unauthorized access. This technology provides a physical barrier and enhances the overall security of the data center.

A TCP/IP network makes many of the ports available to outside users through the router. These ports respond in a predictable way. A port scanner can identify which ports are open and the data collected can be fed to a vulnerability scanner, whose job is to identify the known exploits attackers may use on that open port and re-mediate them with patches. (Domain 2.1)

DoS (Denial of Service) - a type of attack that prevents any users - even legitimate ones - from using a system. (Domain 2.1)

Installing only needed software is a recommended practice to harden workstations and servers. By installing only necessary software, the attack surface is reduced, minimizing the potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors. Unnecessary software increases the risk of security breaches as it may contain vulnerabilities or provide additional avenues for attackers to gain unauthorized access. Therefore, installing only needed software helps to enhance the security posture of workstations and servers.

The administrator should check for a SMTP open relay first. An open relay is a misconfigured mail server that allows anyone to use it to send emails, which can be exploited by spammers. If the PC is sending an unusual amount of email at odd times, it could be an indication that it is using an open relay to send spam emails. Checking for an open relay would help identify and resolve this issue.

The correct time to discuss the appropriate use of electronic devices with a new employee is at the time of hire. This is because it is important to set expectations and guidelines regarding the use of electronic devices from the very beginning of the employment relationship. By discussing this topic at the time of hire, the employer can ensure that the new employee understands the company's policies and expectations regarding the appropriate use of electronic devices in the workplace. This can help to prevent any potential issues or misunderstandings in the future.

Backup tapes should not be kept near a power line because it poses a risk of electrical interference or damage to the tapes. Power lines can generate electromagnetic fields that can corrupt or erase the data stored on the tapes. Therefore, it is important to keep backup tapes away from any potential sources of electromagnetic interference to ensure the integrity and reliability of the backup data.

Non-repudiation prevents one party from denying actions they carried out. In cryptography, you need non-repudiation to verify that someone is who they report to be.
Third party organizations called CAs (Certificate Authorities) manage public keys and issue certificates verifying the validity of the sender's message. The verifying aspect serves as non-repudiation' a respected third party vouches for the individual. The goal of any effective cryptography system must include non-repudiation. (Domain 5.1)

Change Management - the structured approach that is followed to secure the company's assets. Details here should include the controls that are in place to prevent unauthorized access to, and changes of, all IT assets. (Domain 6.4)

Netstat is a command-line tool that displays active network connections and listening ports on a computer. It provides information about the current network connections, including the protocol, local and remote IP addresses, and the state of the connection. By using netstat, the technician can quickly identify any suspicious or excessive network activity on the desktop, which could be causing the performance issues. This tool allows the technician to diagnose and troubleshoot network-related problems efficiently.

10BASE5 network uses coaxial wire (similar to cable co. wire)as the infrastructure. Although this configuration is mostly phased out in networks, the primary security risk was the use of Vampire Taps. These taps are named based on their physical design, which resembles how a vampire would bite into a wire - using two teeth of different sizes. One taps the braided outer shielding while another longer prong taps the center conductor. Once in place, all data on the net can be stolen with no indication the device is in place. (Domain 2.6)

CAs are responsible for maintaining certificates in the PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) environment. (Domain 3.7)

SIDE STUDY:
IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) establishes standards and protocols for the Internet.

In this scenario, accepting the risk is the best course of action because the cost to mitigate the risk is higher than the expected loss if the risk occurs. This means that attempting to mitigate the risk would be more expensive than the potential harm caused by the risk itself. By accepting the risk, the organization acknowledges the potential consequences but decides not to take any further action to prevent or reduce it. This decision is based on a cost-benefit analysis, where it is more cost-effective to accept the risk rather than investing resources in mitigation measures.

After determining which patches are needed and applying them, the next step in patch management is to audit for the successful application of the patches. This involves verifying that the patches were installed correctly and have effectively resolved the vulnerabilities they were intended to address. This auditing process ensures that the system is secure and protected against potential threats.

A protocol analyzer can be used to identify an active attack if an administrator does not have a NIDS examining network traffic. A protocol analyzer is a tool that captures and analyzes network traffic, allowing the administrator to inspect packets and detect any suspicious or malicious activity. By analyzing the network traffic, the administrator can identify any unusual patterns or behaviors that may indicate an active attack. Therefore, a protocol analyzer can be a useful tool in detecting and investigating potential security breaches in the absence of a NIDS.

Storing the backup tapes at a sister site in another city provides protection from disaster in the case the primary site is permanently lost. This ensures that even if the primary site is completely destroyed, the backup data is safely stored in a different location, minimizing the risk of data loss. Storing the tapes in another city also reduces the chances of both sites being affected by the same disaster event, such as a natural disaster or fire.

The firewall logs should be checked first because they provide information about all incoming and outgoing network traffic. By analyzing the firewall logs, the company can identify any suspicious or unauthorized activity that may have occurred during the intrusion. This can help in understanding the nature of the attack and taking appropriate measures to mitigate it. DNS logs, access logs, and performance logs may also be useful in investigating the intrusion, but checking the firewall logs is the most crucial initial step.

The correct answer is that the remote PC has a zombie master application running and the local PCs have a zombie slave application running. This means that the remote PC is controlling the local PCs and using them to send packets to a single external PC. This is a common tactic used in botnets, where a network of compromised computers is controlled by a central command server. The local PCs have been infected with a zombie slave application, which allows the remote PC to control their actions without the user's knowledge.

The most likely reason for the login box not appearing after a browser upgrade is that the pop-up blocker application is blocking it. Pop-up blockers are designed to prevent unwanted pop-up windows from appearing, but sometimes they can mistakenly block legitimate ones. Therefore, the first thing to check would be if the pop-up blocker application is configured to allow pop-ups from the specific website.

A secure cipher is a cryptographic algorithm that can be reversed or decrypted to obtain the original plaintext from the ciphertext. In contrast, a secure hash function is a one-way function that generates a fixed-size output (hash value) for any input size. The hash function cannot be reversed or decrypted to obtain the original input from the hash value. Therefore, the difference between a secure cipher and a secure hash is that a cipher can be reversed, while a hash cannot.

Pop-up blocker applications do not require periodic updates to stay accurate. Once installed, they can effectively block pop-up ads without the need for regular updates. On the other hand, signature-based HIDS, antivirus applications, and rootkit detection applications need to be updated regularly to stay effective against new threats and vulnerabilities. These updates ensure that the software has the latest virus definitions, signatures, and detection techniques to identify and protect against emerging threats.

Configuration baselines should be taken after the initial configuration of a new system. This is because the initial configuration involves setting up the system with the necessary hardware, software, and settings. Once this initial configuration is complete, taking a configuration baseline helps establish a reference point for the system's configuration. It allows for future comparisons to identify any changes or deviations from the established baseline. Taking the baseline after the initial configuration ensures that the system is in a stable and functional state before capturing its configuration.

Penetration testing is the most intrusive on a network compared to the other options. Penetration testing involves actively attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in a network or system to identify potential security weaknesses. This testing simulates real-world attacks and can involve various techniques like exploiting software vulnerabilities, brute-force attacks, or social engineering. In contrast, protocol analyzers, port scanners, and vulnerability testing are less intrusive methods used to analyze network traffic, identify open ports, and assess system vulnerabilities respectively, without actively attempting to exploit them.

Using a personal software firewall on an office laptop connected to a home user's network is most likely to benefit because home networks typically have less security measures in place compared to enterprise LANs. The personal software firewall can provide an additional layer of protection by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic, preventing unauthorized access and potential attacks from the home network.

To evaluate the security compliance of a group of servers against best practices, the best approach would be to run a vulnerability assessment tool. This tool will scan the servers and identify any vulnerabilities or weaknesses in their security measures. By running a vulnerability assessment, organizations can proactively identify and address potential security risks before they are exploited by attackers. This helps in ensuring that the servers are in line with the best security practices and helps in maintaining a secure environment. Conducting a penetration test would also be beneficial, but it is more focused on actively exploiting vulnerabilities to assess the effectiveness of the security measures.

Crosstalk is a common problem associated with UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable. It occurs when signals from one wire interfere with signals in adjacent wires, leading to signal degradation and data errors. This interference can be caused by electromagnetic fields or electrical noise. Crosstalk can result in poor signal quality, reduced bandwidth, and an increased error rate in data transmission. To minimize crosstalk, techniques like proper cable spacing, twisted pair design, and shielding can be used.