Computer Security Chapter 1: Introduction

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Questions and Answers

Which type of attacker is associated with organized crime activities?

Organized crime member (correct)

Terrorist

Criminal-for-hire

Hacker

What type of harm includes altering data without permission?

Fabrication

Modification (correct)

Interruption

Interception

Which element is essential for an attacker's strategy, according to the model of method, opportunity, and motive?

Profile

Method (correct)

Location

Support

Which harm type involves preventing access to systems or data?

Interruption Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes loosely connected groups in the context of attackers?

Hacker Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of computer security?

To protect the assets of a computer system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a type of asset in computer security?

User preferences Signup and view all the answers

What does the C-I-A Triad refer to in computer security?

Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines access control in the context of computer security?

The protection against unauthorized access to data and resources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a basic threat in computer security?

An intentional act to compromise data integrity Signup and view all the answers

What are vulnerabilities in the context of computer security?

Weaknesses that can be exploited by threats Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of software asset?

Operating system Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT part of hardware assets in a computer security framework?

Antivirus utilities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following values are associated with hardware assets?

Disk drives Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a weakness in a system that can be exploited by a threat?

Vulnerability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the C-I-A triad in security?

Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability Signup and view all the answers

Which type of software asset is considered easily replaceable?

Commercial applications Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about data assets?

They are unique and irreplaceable. Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to actions taken to reduce the risk posed by threats?

Control Signup and view all the answers

Among the following, which is NOT a part of the C-I-A triad?

Authentication Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a unique software asset?

Individual applications Signup and view all the answers

What components make up an access control policy?

Who + What + How Signup and view all the answers

Which type of threat is classified as benign?

Human error Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic does NOT describe an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)?

Rapid Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a natural cause threat?

Power failure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes directed threats?

They are aimed at a specific target Signup and view all the answers

Which of these qualifies as a human cause threat?

Malicious intent Signup and view all the answers

What type of threat is characterized by being silent and patient?

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these examples represents a random threat?

Malicious code on a general website Signup and view all the answers

Which type of threat does confidentiality primarily protect against?

Unauthorized data access Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a technical control?

Access control lists Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of integrity as a security control?

To ensure data is accurate and reliable Signup and view all the answers

Which control is designed to ensure the availability of data?

Redundancy systems Signup and view all the answers

What type of threat does procedural control primarily guard against?

Accidental data loss Signup and view all the answers

In terms of controls, which of the following ensures physical security?

Security badges Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following threats is NOT covered by technical controls?

Data theft from physical devices Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does availability principally focus on?

Ensuring data is accessible when needed Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common misconception about integrity in data management?

Integrity only pertains to data accuracy Signup and view all the answers

Which control is crucial for protecting data from unauthorized access?

Access control mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

What are the three basic security primitives?

Confidentiality, integrity, and availability Signup and view all the answers

What do vulnerabilities in a system represent?

Weaknesses in a system Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the role of controls?

Controls protect weaknesses from exploitation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of deterrence control?

Natural deterrence Signup and view all the answers

Who poses different kinds of threats based on their capabilities?

Different attackers Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of prevention controls in a system?

To prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited Signup and view all the answers

What type of control would likely involve a faux environment?

External deterrence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a proper response to an intrusion attempt?

Documenting and analyzing the incident Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 1: Introduction

Computer security aims to protect computer system assets: hardware, software, and data.
Chapter objectives include defining computer security and basic terms, introducing the C-I-A Triad, access control terminology, basic threats, vulnerabilities, and attacks, and control mapping to threats.
Assets include hardware (computer, devices, drives, memory, printer, network gear), software (operating system, utilities, commercial applications, word processing, photo editing, individual applications), and data (documents, photos, music, videos, email, class projects).
Asset values are categorized as easily replaceable (off the shelf) or unique and irreplaceable.
Basic security terms include vulnerability, threat, attack, and countermeasure or control.
Threat and vulnerability relationship is illustrated by an image of a person attempting to reach a target above water with a stick.
The C-I-A Triad represents confidentiality, integrity, and availability as fundamental security principles. It may also include authentication and non-repudiation.
Access control, illustrated by a person at a desk, is described as a policy based process. (Who+ What+ How= Yes/No)
Threat types include natural (fire, power failure), human causes (benign intent, malicious intent), human error, random (malicious code), and directed (impersonation). Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are characterized by organization, direction, well-funded resources, patience, and silent operations.
Attacker types include hackers, individuals, terrorists, organized crime members, criminals for hire and loosely connected groups.
Attack types include interception, interruption, modification, and fabrication depicted in diagrams.
The method-opportunity-motive model is presented.
Controls or countermeasures to threats are categorized into human, malicious, and directed and classified as physical, procedural, and technical as well as categorized in respect to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Control types include preemption, external prevention, internal prevention, detection, response, deflection, external deterrence, internal deterrence and faux environment.
A summary highlights vulnerabilities as weaknesses exploited by threats, and controls as protection for weaknesses. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability are core security principles. Attacker types and their motivations influence threat kinds and potential controls. Controls exist at various locations within a system.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of computer security, including the definition of key terms and the components of the C-I-A Triad: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It also introduces threats, vulnerabilities, and the importance of asset protection in security. Test your understanding of these core ideas from Chapter 1!