TCS Information Security Quiz Questions And Answers

Strong passwords include special characters because they increase the complexity of the password, making it harder for attackers to guess or crack using brute-force techniques. For instance, "Password123" is less secure than "P@ssw0rd#123" because the latter includes special symbols that diversify the character set. A strong password typically combines uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, ensuring at least 12 characters in length. This complexity exponentially increases the number of possible combinations, making it computationally intensive for hackers to break through, thus safeguarding sensitive accounts and systems from unauthorized access.

Creating a password that is a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols is recommended because it increases the complexity and strength of the password. This combination makes it harder for potential hackers to guess or crack the password using brute force or dictionary attacks. Including a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols adds more variability and makes the password more secure against common password-cracking techniques.

Reporting suspicious emails to the IT helpdesk is crucial to mitigating potential phishing or malware threats. By alerting IT professionals, the suspicious email can be investigated to identify its source and intent. For instance, IT teams can analyze the email’s metadata and attachments to confirm malicious content and implement protective measures, like blocking similar emails or domains. Ignoring or deleting the email without reporting it risks leaving the organization exposed to future attacks. By reporting, employees actively contribute to organizational security, ensuring preventive actions and protecting critical data and systems from cyber threats.

A virus in a computer refers to a type of malicious software that is designed to replicate itself and spread to other computers. It is capable of causing harm to the system by corrupting or deleting files, stealing personal information, or disrupting the normal functioning of the computer. Viruses are often spread through infected emails, downloads, or websites, and can be a significant threat to computer security.

Information security is important for several reasons. Firstly, it supports and protects critical business processes and systems, ensuring the smooth functioning of operations and preventing any disruptions or damages. Secondly, it helps organizations avoid potential fines that may be imposed due to data breaches or non-compliance with security regulations. Lastly, information security is crucial in protecting employee and citizen data, safeguarding their privacy and preventing any unauthorized access or misuse. Therefore, all of the given options are valid reasons why information security is important.

Multi-factor authentication enhances security by requiring users to verify their identity using multiple factors, such as something they know (password), something they have (token or mobile device), and something they are (biometric data). This layered approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if one factor, like a password, is compromised. For example, an attacker who guesses a password cannot log in without the second factor, like a one-time code sent to the user’s phone. Multi-factor authentication provides a robust defense mechanism, protecting sensitive systems and data from unauthorized access and reducing vulnerabilities in authentication processes.

Sharing passwords can increase the risk of potential security threats as it allows unauthorized individuals to access sensitive information or carry out malicious activities. By not sharing passwords, individuals can maintain better control over their accounts and protect their personal and confidential data from being compromised. Turning off virus software or not turning off a computer may have other implications but does not directly address the issue of reducing security threats. Therefore, the correct answer is to not share any passwords.

Phishing by text message is called smishing. This term is a combination of "SMS" (Short Message Service) and "phishing." Smishing involves sending fraudulent text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a company, in order to trick individuals into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. It is a form of social engineering that exploits the trust people have in text messages to deceive and manipulate them.

Information security is the responsibility of all employees because every individual within an organization plays a role in safeguarding sensitive information. It is not limited to a specific department or a select group of employees. All staff members need to be aware of security protocols, follow best practices, and actively participate in protecting data from unauthorized access, breaches, or misuse. This inclusive approach ensures a collective effort toward maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets within the organization.

A Le-Hard virus comes into existence through the Command.Com program. Command.Com is a command interpreter for MS-DOS and Windows operating systems. It is responsible for executing commands and running programs on the computer. Therefore, if a Le-Hard virus is created, it would likely exploit vulnerabilities or manipulate the Command.Com program to spread and infect other files or systems.

The correct answer is "Brain." Brain is the name of the first boot sector virus. It was created in 1986 by two brothers from Pakistan. The virus infected the boot sector of floppy disks, making it the first known virus to target this area. Brain spread through infected disks and caused various issues on infected computers, such as slowing down the system and corrupting data. It marked the beginning of a new era in computer viruses and highlighted the need for antivirus software.

Grayware is a term applied to unwanted applications or files that are not classified as malware but can still negatively impact the performance of computers and pose security risks. Unlike malware or viruses, grayware may not have malicious intent but can still cause issues such as slowing down the system or collecting personal information without the user's consent. Therefore, grayware is an appropriate term for describing these potentially harmful but not explicitly malicious applications or files.

Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, refers to the authorized and legal practice of intentionally probing computer systems, networks, or applications for security vulnerabilities. The purpose of ethical hacking is to identify and fix potential weaknesses in a system's defenses. It is conducted by skilled professionals with the explicit permission of the organization or system owner. Ethical hacking is a proactive approach to cybersecurity, helping organizations strengthen their security measures by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. Therefore, it is not an unauthorized or unethical activity.