Secure Coding Practices Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which practice should be avoided for storing credentials securely?

Using one-way hashes with salt.

Encrypting communication channels.

Using cleartext storage for user passwords. (correct)

Supporting password expiration periods.

What is a best practice regarding input validation in secure coding?

Always sanitize, reject, and constrain input. (correct)

Validate only for specific characters.

Only validate input length.

Trust client-side validation completely.

What is an appropriate action to take during session management?

Create the session identifier on the client-side.

Terminate sessions only on server request.

Generate a new session upon re-authentication. (correct)

Allow cookie transmission without secure attributes.

What is the primary purpose of using least-privileged accounts in authorization?

To restrict user access to sensitive resources. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key practice in logging and auditing within an application?

Identify malicious behavior. Signup and view all the answers

When handling cryptographic keys, what is a best practice?

Store keys in a restricted location. Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommendation for ensuring safe authentication token transmission?

Pass form authentication cookies over HTTPS. Signup and view all the answers

What should developers do to mitigate Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks?

Implement measures to protect privileged actions and sensitive resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of an Information Security Awareness Program?

To create awareness about risks to information Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best distinguishes training from education in the context of information assurance?

Training focuses on skill development, while education provides general knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for community members to understand security and privacy compliance requirements?

To mitigate risks that involve credential security Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does awareness in an information security context primarily address?

Encouraging individuals to focus on a set of security issues Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects the purpose of information assurance education?

To explore fundamental principles underlying job skills Signup and view all the answers

What can be a serious consequence of information breaches?

Legal and financial implications Signup and view all the answers

In which program do employees typically acquire knowledge and skills at a holistic level?

Information Assurance Education Signup and view all the answers

What role do community members have regarding the investigation of breaches?

They play a critical role and need to understand risk mitigation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of installing fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems in an organization?

To reduce risks from fire hazards Signup and view all the answers

What type of sprinkler system is designed to fill with water only when evidence of a fire is detected?

Dry pipe system Signup and view all the answers

What is a risk associated with malfunctioning computer systems related to smoke?

They can cause false alarms in fire suppression systems Signup and view all the answers

How do smoke detectors contribute to fire safety in computer rooms?

They detect smoke both inside and outside the room Signup and view all the answers

What role do HVAC systems play in maintaining the safety of computer systems?

They continuously monitor temperature and humidity Signup and view all the answers

What potential problem can occur with a wet pipe sprinkler system?

They may cause damage due to leakage Signup and view all the answers

Why is humidity control important for computer systems?

It minimizes static electricity and equipment damage Signup and view all the answers

What precaution should organizations take regarding supporting utilities?

Ensure redundancy to avoid disruption Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of NIPS in network security?

Monitor and analyze network traffic. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of inspection does NIPS NOT use to evaluate network traffic?

Behavioral inspection. Signup and view all the answers

What role do proxy servers play in network communication?

Act as intermediaries between clients and the internet. Signup and view all the answers

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is primarily used for what purpose?

Encrypting and authenticating data during transmission. Signup and view all the answers

What does a digital certificate represent in the digital world?

An identity associated with an entity. Signup and view all the answers

How does a certified authority (CA) verify a client’s digital certificate?

By ensuring it was issued by a trusted authority. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of proxy servers?

Perform encryption of transmitted data. Signup and view all the answers

What ensures that data has not been modified during transmission in PKI?

Authentication processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of decentralized access control administration?

Changes can be made faster as they are managed locally. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a disadvantage of decentralized access control?

It can lead to inconsistent access policies across different areas. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of security in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), where should security be prioritized?

Consistently throughout the entire lifecycle. Signup and view all the answers

If a program has no syntax errors, which of the following can we conclude about its security?

It is vulnerable to logic errors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a method for implementing physical security of premises?

Installing motion detectors and surveillance cameras. Signup and view all the answers

What strategy could an institution use for effective change management?

Conducting regular audits and reviews of changes. Signup and view all the answers

How can access control techniques be implemented effectively in an institution?

By employing an access control matrix tailored to specific roles. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of securing equipment within an organization?

Ensuring equipment is placed in well-lit and monitored areas. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Security Risks in Software Development

Reliance on untrusted inputs can compromise security decisions, leading to vulnerabilities.
Executing processes with unnecessary privileges increases exposure to potential attacks.
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) tricks users into executing unwanted actions on trusted sites.
Downloading code without integrity checks may introduce malicious software.
Incorrect buffer size calculations can lead to buffer overflow attacks.
Improperly restricting excessive authentication attempts leaves systems open to brute force attacks.
URL redirection to untrusted sites (open redirects) can mislead users and expose them to harm.
Uncontrolled format strings can allow attackers to manipulate program execution.
Using a one-way hash without salt can make password storage vulnerable to cracking methods.

Secure Code Practices Checklist

Centralized input validation prevents trusting client-side data.
Canonicalization issues must be handled with care to prevent input manipulation.
Input should be carefully constrained, rejected, and sanitized, validating type, length, format, and range.

Authentication

Websites should clearly distinguish between anonymous, identified, and authenticated areas.
Implement strong passwords and enforce regular expiration as well as account disablement.
Credentials should not be stored in plain text; use one-way hashes with salt.
Encrypt communication channels for securing authentication tokens and use HTTPS for form cookies.

Authorization

Adhere to the principle of least privilege by using minimum necessary access rights for accounts.
Consider authorization granularity and enforce separation of privileges.
Restrict user access to system-level resources and validate APIs, whitelisting allowable methods.
Protect against CSRF by implementing appropriate measures.

Session Management

Generate unique session identifiers on the server and terminate sessions upon logoff.
Create new sessions upon re-authentication and ensure the 'secure' attribute for cookies used over TLS.

Cryptography

Use cryptography for data in transit, data at rest, and ensuring message integrity.
Avoid developing custom cryptographic algorithms; utilize established platform features.
Properly manage encryption keys: cycle periodically, store securely, and avoid complex key management scenarios.

Logging and Auditing

Maintain systems to audit activity continuously and identify potential malicious behavior.
Understand typical traffic patterns to discern anomalies that could indicate attacks.

Types of Learning Programs

Awareness programs educate about risks to personal and institutional information.
Training focuses on specific skills needed for effective function in security contexts.
Education provides broad knowledge, fostering understanding of fundamental principles affecting security.

Importance of Information Security Awareness Programs

Community understanding of compliance requirements is crucial to protect sensitive data.
Breaches carry serious legal and financial consequences, necessitating prompt investigation and reporting.
Educated community members can significantly mitigate risks and better engage with security solutions.

Physical Security Measures

Fire safety measures include installing sensors and sprinklers to reduce fire hazards.
Smoke detectors should be installed in strategic areas to manage risks from electrical fires.
Implement water damage prevention measures, carefully selecting types of sprinkler systems.
Maintain critical supporting utilities: power, HVAC, and telecommunications to ensure system availability.
Proper equipment placement and protection minimize risks from physical threats.

Access Control Techniques

Implement a mixture of centralized and decentralized access control for flexibility and speed.
Ensure effective use of rules and matrices for managing user permissions in different areas.

Laboratory Activity Suggestions

Demonstrate a secure coding practice through a sample code segment in any preferred programming language.
Create a security training plan incorporating various methods such as hands-on training, videos, or visual displays.

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Description

Test your knowledge on secure coding practices including issues such as Cross-Site Request Forgery, improper use of privileges, and techniques to safeguard against attacks. This quiz covers key concepts necessary for developing secure applications. Make sure your code adheres to best practices to minimize vulnerabilities.