CCST CyberSecurity - Know Your Awareness (Questions and Answers)

Given below are a few CCST Cyber Security questions CCST Cyber Security questions with answers and explanation. These MCQs are just for knowing your awareness of cybersecurity.

Question 1:

Which of the following is considered the first line of defense in a network security architecture? A. Firewalls
B. Antivirus software
C. Encryption
D. Intrusion detection systems (IDS)

Answer: A. Firewalls

Explanation: Firewalls are considered the first line of defense because they filter incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules, preventing unauthorized access to or from a network.

Question 2:

What does the term "phishing" refer to in cybersecurity? 

A. A type of malware that steals data
B. An attempt to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trustworthy entity
C. A process of scanning ports
D. The act of encrypting data

Answer: B. An attempt to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trustworthy entity

Explanation: Phishing is a social engineering attack where attackers attempt to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers by pretending to be a legitimate entity.

Question 3:

Which of the following encryption methods is considered the strongest? 

A. DES (Data Encryption Standard)
B. 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard)
C. AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
D. RC4

Answer: C. AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

Explanation: AES is considered the strongest encryption method among the options listed due to its complex key structure and widespread adoption for securing sensitive data.

Question 4:

Which protocol is used to securely transmit web pages over the Internet? 

A. HTTP
B. FTP
C. HTTPS
D. SMTP

Answer: C. HTTPS

Explanation: HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is used to securely transmit web pages by encrypting the data exchanged between the user's browser and the web server, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.

Question 5:

What is the primary purpose of a VPN (Virtual Private Network)? 

A. To speed up internet connections
B. To provide secure access to a private network over a public network
C. To filter web content
D. To detect and prevent malware infections

Answer: B. To provide secure access to a private network over a public network

Explanation: A VPN creates a secure tunnel between the user's device and the private network, allowing secure access to network resources and protecting data from interception over public networks.

Question 6:

Which type of malware is designed to replicate itself and spread to other computers?

A. Spyware
B. Trojan
C. Worm
D. Adware

Answer: C. Worm

Explanation: Worms are a type of malware that can replicate themselves and spread to other computers without user intervention, often exploiting vulnerabilities in software or network configurations.

Question 7:

In the context of cybersecurity, what does the principle of "least privilege" refer to? 

A. Providing users with minimal access rights needed to perform their job functions
B. Encrypting all sensitive data
C. Regularly updating antivirus software
D. Implementing the most restrictive firewall rules

Answer: A. Providing users with minimal access rights needed to perform their job functions

Explanation: The principle of least privilege involves giving users only the access rights they need to perform their tasks, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or accidental misuse of sensitive information.

Question 8:

Which of the following is a common method used to verify the integrity of data? 

A. Symmetric encryption
B. Hashing
C. Asymmetric encryption
D. Steganography

Answer: B. Hashing

Explanation: Hashing is used to generate a fixed-size string (hash value) from data. Any change in the data will result in a different hash value, thus helping to verify data integrity by comparing hash values.

Question 9:

What is the main function of a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) in network security? 

A. To serve as a buffer zone between an internal network and external networks
B. To store backup data
C. To filter email traffic
D. To monitor internal network activity

Answer: A. To serve as a buffer zone between an internal network and external networks

Explanation: A DMZ is a physical or logical subnetwork that contains and exposes an organization’s external-facing services to an untrusted network, typically the Internet, while keeping the internal network secure.

Question 10:

What is the purpose of two-factor authentication (2FA)? 

A. To reduce the need for strong passwords
B. To provide an additional layer of security by requiring two forms of verification
C. To encrypt data during transmission
D. To filter spam emails

Answer: B. To provide an additional layer of security by requiring two forms of verification

Explanation: Two-factor authentication (2FA) enhances security by requiring two different forms of identification (something you know and something you have) before granting access to an account or system, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access.

Resources:

https://www.simulationexams.com/exam-details/ccst-cybersecurity.htm

https://www.practicetests.info/infowiki/index.php?title=CCST_CyberSec_Sample_Test_Questions

More questions:

Question 11:

What is a honeypot in the context of cybersecurity? A. A tool for encrypting data
B. A decoy system designed to lure attackers
C. A software used for scanning network vulnerabilities
D. A type of firewall configuration

Answer: B. A decoy system designed to lure attackers

Explanation: A honeypot is a decoy system intentionally set up to attract and trap attackers, allowing security professionals to study attack methods and gather intelligence without risking critical systems.

Question 12:

Which of the following best describes a zero-day vulnerability? A. A vulnerability that has been patched
B. A vulnerability that is known but not yet exploited
C. A vulnerability that is publicly disclosed before a patch is available
D. A vulnerability in software that has been exploited for years

Answer: C. A vulnerability that is publicly disclosed before a patch is available

Explanation: A zero-day vulnerability is a software flaw that is unknown to the software vendor and for which no patch is available, making it a high-risk target for attackers.

Question 13:

Which of the following is the best practice for creating strong passwords? A. Using common words or phrases
B. Combining letters, numbers, and special characters
C. Using short, memorable passwords
D. Writing passwords down on paper

Answer: B. Combining letters, numbers, and special characters

Explanation: Strong passwords should be a combination of letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and special characters to increase complexity and reduce the likelihood of being guessed or cracked.

Question 14:

What is the main purpose of a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system? A. To encrypt sensitive data
B. To monitor and analyze security events in real-time
C. To manage user access controls
D. To perform vulnerability assessments

Answer: B. To monitor and analyze security events in real-time

Explanation: A SIEM system aggregates and analyzes data from various sources to provide real-time monitoring, detection, and response to security events, helping organizations identify and mitigate potential threats.

Question 15:

Which term describes the practice of deliberately causing a system to fail in order to test its resilience and recovery processes? A. Penetration testing
B. Stress testing
C. Fault injection
D. Red teaming

Answer: C. Fault injection

Explanation: Fault injection involves deliberately introducing errors or faults into a system to test its ability to handle failures and recover gracefully, ensuring robust and resilient systems.

Question 16:

What is social engineering in the context of cybersecurity? A. The use of advanced algorithms to crack passwords
B. The practice of manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information
C. The process of securing software development lifecycles
D. The implementation of multi-factor authentication

Answer: B. The practice of manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information

Explanation: Social engineering is a tactic used by attackers to trick individuals into giving away sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security, often through psychological manipulation.

Question 17:

What does the term "DOS attack" stand for and what is its purpose? A. Direct Object System attack; to gain administrative access
B. Denial of Service attack; to disrupt service availability
C. Data Overload System attack; to steal sensitive information
D. Distributed Operating System attack; to install malware

Answer: B. Denial of Service attack; to disrupt service availability

Explanation: A Denial of Service (DOS) attack aims to make a system, network, or service unavailable by overwhelming it with a flood of malicious traffic, causing disruption and denying legitimate users access.

Question 18:

What is the primary goal of encryption in cybersecurity? A. To compress data for faster transmission
B. To hide data from unauthorized users
C. To verify the identity of users
D. To backup data regularly

Answer: B. To hide data from unauthorized users

Explanation: The primary goal of encryption is to protect the confidentiality of data by converting it into a format that can only be read by someone who has the decryption key, thus preventing unauthorized access.

Question 19:

Which of the following is an example of multi-factor authentication (MFA)? A. Logging in with a username and password
B. Using a fingerprint and a PIN
C. Answering a security question
D. Receiving an email verification link

Answer: B. Using a fingerprint and a PIN

Explanation: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) involves using two or more different types of factors to verify a user’s identity, such as something they know (PIN) and something they are (fingerprint), enhancing security.

Question 20:

What is the primary function of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)? A. To block malicious traffic from entering the network
B. To detect and alert on suspicious activities within the network
C. To manage user permissions and access controls
D. To perform regular backups of critical data

Answer: B. To detect and alert on suspicious activities within the network

Explanation: An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) monitors network traffic for suspicious activities and potential security breaches, generating alerts so that appropriate actions can be taken to investigate and mitigate threats.

Resources:

https://dl1.file-download.net/download/ccst-cybersecurity-test-download.htm

https://www.tutorialsweb.com/networking/ccst-cybersecurity/ccst-cybersecurity-1.htm