Digital Security Basics Module 7
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Questions and Answers

Are hackers able to exploit communication ports?

True

How do hackers exploit communication ports?

Hackers use a technique called port scanning to discover which ports are open on a device.

What is a port scan?

A port scan pings a packet of data to the port. If a reply is received, the port is open.

What is a firewall?

<p>A firewall is a device or software that is designed to block unauthorized access while allowing authorized communications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a personal firewall?

<p>A personal firewall is a software-based deterrent against unauthorized port access.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Only one software-based firewall should be active, because firewalls have a tendency to conflict with each other.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

A router acts as a firewall to block connections that are not initiated inside a local network.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Do I need NAT in addition to a personal firewall?

<p>Yes, NAT is the best line of defense against attacks that originate from the Internet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What types of interception exploits are threats?

<p>Spyware, Adware, Keyloggers, and Man-in-the-Middle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is spyware?

<p>Any software that secretly gathers personal information without the victim's knowledge is classified as spyware.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is adware?

<p>Adware monitors web browsing activity to supply ad-serving sites with data for targeted ads.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are keyloggers?

<p>Keyloggers record keystrokes and send them to a hacker.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Man-in-the-Middle?

<p>An eavesdropping exploit where a third party intercepts communications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do man-in-the-middle attacks work?

<p>A third party intercepts communications between two entities without their knowledge.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an Evil Twin?

<p>An Evil Twin is a LAN server designed to look like a legitimate Wi-Fi hotspot.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Evil Twin exploit work?

<p>Hackers set up a Wi-Fi hotspot to capture unsecured data from users.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is address spoofing?

<p>Address spoofing changes an originating or destination address to redirect data flow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an email address spoof?

<p>It changes the sender's address to mask the source of spam.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is IP address spoof?

<p>It modifies the source address of data packets used in a denial-of-service attack.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a DNS address spoof?

<p>It changes the IP address that corresponds to a URL to redirect traffic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The DNS address spoof changes the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) routing table on a local area network.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does address spoofing affect browsing?

<p>By spoofing Google's IP address, users can be sent to a fake Google site.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is encryption vulnerable?

<p>The method of encrypting communication relies on a protocol called TLS that can be susceptible to attacks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem with TLS?

<p>Digital certificates can be faked, compromising their trustworthiness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a digital certificate hack work?

<p>By using DNS address spoofing, data can be tunneled through a malicious server.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Basic digital security depends on which two techniques?

<p>Encryption</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does encryption work?

<p>Encryption transforms a message or data file so that its contents are hidden from unauthorized readers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

An original message or file that has not yet been encrypted is referred to as plaintext or cleartext.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

An encrypted message or file is referred to as ciphertext.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is encryption?

<p>The process of converting plaintext into ciphertext.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is decryption?

<p>The process of converting ciphertext into plaintext.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is data encrypted?

<p>Data is encrypted by using a cryptographic algorithm and a key.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a cryptographic algorithm?

<p>A procedure for encryption or decryption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a cryptographic key?

<p>A word, number, or phrase that must be known to encrypt or decrypt data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A password is typically used as the key to encrypt and decrypt data.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be encrypted?

<p>Data packets sent over networks, bank card numbers, email messages, storage volumes, and sensitive files can be encrypted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How well does encryption protect files?

<p>There are various encryption methods, and some are more secure than others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the encryption standard currently used worldwide?

<p>AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)</p> Signup and view all the answers

It is possible to crack AES, but the process is difficult and requires lots of computer power.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is user authentication?

<p>Any technique used to verify or confirm a person's identity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Authentication techniques such as passwords, PINs, fingerprint scans, and facial recognition can prevent unauthorized access to the data.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does two-factor authentication increase security?

<p>It verifies identity based on two components, such as a password and a verification code.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a brute force attack use?

<p>Password-cracking software to generate every possible combination of letters, numerals, and symbols.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a dictionary attack help hackers to do?

<p>Guess your password by stepping through a dictionary containing common words and mutations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes a password susceptible to a dictionary attack?

<p>Weak passwords such as passpass or computercomputer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes a password susceptible to a brute force attack?

<p>Passwords are easier to crack if chosen from a smaller range of possibilities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The number of possible passwords depends on factors that include the size of the character set and the length of the password.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is password entropy?

<p>A measure in bits of a password's unpredictability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Passwords with higher entropy are more secure than passwords with low entropy.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a password manager work?

<p>It keeps track of passwords so users don't have to memorize them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a password strength meter indicate?

<p>The strength of a password and its resistance to attacks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The encrypted file that stores user IDs and passwords is protected by a master password.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Passwords stored locally are tied to the device on which they are created.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Malware is also a component of cyberwarfare attacks that pose a threat to national security.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are malware threats?

<p>Any computer program designed to surreptitiously enter a digital device.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a payload or malware exploit?

<p>The action carried out by malware code.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can malware be used for?

<p>Deleting files, recording keystrokes, allowing remote control of a device, and more.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When was the first computer virus designed to affect personal computers appear?

<p>In 1982.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a virus?

<p>A set of self-replicating program instructions that attaches itself to a legitimate executable file.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are logic bombs?

<p>Viruses that deliver their payloads in response to some other system event.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are time bombs?

<p>Viruses that deliver their payloads on a specific date.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is code injection?

<p>The process of modifying an executable file or data stream by adding additional commands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a virus spread?

<p>By exchanging infected files, email attachments, and through social networking sites.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is side-loading?

<p>A process where an app from a source other than an official app store is installed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a rootkit?

<p>Any code that hides the existence of processes and privileges.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Modern rootkits are used to hide malicious code by replacing parts of the operating system with modified code.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a worm?

<p>A small self-replicating program designed to carry out unauthorized activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can worms enter a device?

<p>Through security holes in browsers, email attachments, and infected links.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A mass-mailing worm spreads by sending itself to every address in the worm's contact list.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does an Internet worm look for?

<p>Vulnerabilities in operating systems, open communications ports, and JavaScripts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a file-sharing worm do?

<p>Copies itself into a shared folder under an innocuous name.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Today, more than 80% of malware infections are trojans.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do trojans differ from viruses and worms?

<p>Trojans do not spread themselves; they rely on users to install them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are trojans?

<p>Programs that masquerade as useful utilities but perform harmful actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can trojans contain?

<p>Viruses, code to take control of a device, or routines called droppers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a dropper?

<p>A tool designed to deliver or 'drop' malicious code into a device.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a dropper and code injection?

<p>A dropper installs a malicious program, while code injection adds malicious code to an existing program.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Antivirus software is a type of utility software that looks for and eliminates malware.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a virus signature?

<p>A section of code that uniquely identifies a malware exploit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How well does heuristic analysis work?

<p>It requires time and system resources to examine files.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Heuristics may produce false positives that mistakenly identify a legitimate file as malware.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when malware is detected?

<p>Antivirus software can try to remove, quarantine, or delete the malware.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How dependable is antivirus software?

<p>Today's antivirus software is quite dependable but not infallible.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a manual scan?

<p>To scan specific files initiated by a user.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What's a virus hoax?

<p>An email warning about a supposed new virus, often leading to unwanted downloads.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk of online intrusions?

<p>When an unauthorized person gains access to a digital device via the Internet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of online intrusions?

<p>Most begin with malware setting up a backdoor for future access.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the steps of an online intrusion?

<p>Malware enters a device, creates a backdoor, opens communication with a hacker, and executes commands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Are there different types of intrusions?

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a RAT?

<p>Malware that disguises itself as legitimate software to establish a secret link to a hacker.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a backdoor?

<p>An undocumented method of accessing a digital device.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is ransomware?

<p>A virus that encrypts user storage until payment is made to unlock it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a botnet?

<p>A network of compromised devices controlled by hackers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Botnets have been used to carry out massive DDoS attacks.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is DDoS?

<p>A distributed denial of service attack.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A botmaster controls a network of victims' computers using IRC channels for communication.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Commands from botmaster include:

<p>Click fraud, DDoS, spam, mine bitcoins, and crack encryption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Does antivirus software protect devices from intrusions?

<p>It can prevent some, but not all, intrusions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a zero-day attack?

<p>An attack that exploits previously unknown vulnerabilities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

On-access scans are also called:

<p>Real-time protection, background scanning, and autoprotect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Digital Security Fundamentals

  • Basic digital security relies on encryption and authentication for protection.
  • Encryption hides information from unauthorized readers by transforming messages or files.
  • The original unencrypted content is known as plaintext or cleartext, while the encrypted content is termed ciphertext.

Encryption and Decryption

  • Encryption: The process of converting plaintext into ciphertext.
  • Decryption: Reverses encryption, converting ciphertext back to plaintext.
  • Data encryption utilizes a cryptographic algorithm paired with a cryptographic key for secure communication.

Cryptographic Key and Algorithms

  • A cryptographic key is typically a word or number necessary for encryption/decryption.
  • Cryptographic algorithms define the methods used for encryption and decryption.

Passwords and Security

  • Passwords function as keys, playing a crucial role in data protection.
  • Various data types can be encrypted, including personal data, email communications, and entire storage volumes.
  • Password strength hinges on complexity; weak passwords (e.g., "passpass") are easily crackable.

Attack Methods

  • Brute Force Attack: Attempts every possible password combination, often requiring substantial time and resources.
  • Dictionary Attack: Uses common words and phrases to guess passwords, leveraging known weaknesses.

Security Measures

  • Employing two-factor authentication enhances security by requiring two verification components.
  • Password strength meters evaluate password security against brute force and dictionary attacks.

Malware and Cyber Threats

  • Malware encompasses harmful programs designed to infiltrate devices, including viruses, worms, and trojans.
  • A virus replicates by attaching itself to legitimate files; worms are standalone programs that spread autonomously.
  • Trojan horses masquerade as legitimate software but lead to malicious activities upon installation.

Specific Types of Malware

  • Ransomware encrypts user data until a ransom is paid for access.
  • Rootkits hide malicious processes from detection, often modifying operating system components.
  • Backdoors allow unauthorized remote access to victim systems, often utilized by RAT (Remote Access Trojans).

Intrusions and Defense Strategies

  • Online intrusions often initiate through malware, which opens backdoors for hackers.
  • Botnets consist of networks of compromised devices controlled by a hacker, often utilized for DDoS attacks.
  • Firewalls block unauthorized access and can be software-based (personal firewalls) or hardware-based (network routers).

Protection and Reliability

  • Antivirus software detects and eliminates malware but may not catch sophisticated threats like zero-day exploits.
  • Manual scans help users check for infections if there are suspicions of malware incidents.

Exploiting Vulnerabilities

  • Hackers conduct port scanning to identify open communication ports on devices.
  • Spyware collects user data without consent, while adware monitors web activity to serve targeted ads.

Threat Prevention

  • Systems utilizing Network Address Translation (NAT) enhance security against outside attacks, complementing personal firewalls by addressing internal threats.

Keyloggers

  • Keyloggers are a type of spyware that record keystrokes and transmit the information to hackers.
  • They are commonly used by identity thieves and industrial spies to obtain user passwords and access accounts.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

  • A Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack involves a third party intercepting communication between two entities without their knowledge.
  • Types of MITM attacks include Evil Twins, address spoofing, digital certificate hacks, and IMSI catchers.
  • A third party can either passively monitor communications or actively modify data during transfer.

Evil Twin Exploit

  • An Evil Twin is a fraudulent Wi-Fi hotspot that mimics a legitimate network to deceive users.
  • Hackers set up unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots to capture data from users, including online banking details and social media passwords.

Address Spoofing

  • Address spoofing involves altering the originating or destination address of data to redirect communication.
  • Various types include email address spoofing, IP address spoofing, and DNS address spoofing.

Spoof Types

  • Email address spoofing disguises the sender's address, often used in spam.
  • IP address spoofing modifies source IP addresses in denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.
  • DNS address spoofing changes the IP address associated with a URL, redirecting victims to fraudulent websites.

ARP Address Spoofing

  • ARP spoofing alters the routing table on a local area network, redirecting traffic through a malicious device.

Address Spoofing Impact on Browsing

  • Spoofing of Google’s IP address by authorities can redirect users to fake sites, which may block access to controversial content.

Vulnerability of Encryption

  • Encryption of client-server communication relies on TLS (Transport Layer Security) and digital certificates to verify server identity.
  • Public keys are used by clients to encrypt messages sent to servers.

Issues with TLS

  • Digital certificates, which validate server identities, can be faked, creating security vulnerabilities.
  • A valid certificate is signed by an official certificate authority, while a fake may appear legitimate but lacks a valid signature.

Digital Certificate Hacking

  • Digital certificate hacks can involve DNS address spoofing, which routes all data from users through malicious servers, potentially enabling surveillance or censorship.

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Explore the essential concepts of digital security in this Module 7 quiz. Test your knowledge on encryption, authentication, and plaintext definitions through flashcards designed for effective learning.

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