Types of Password Attacks Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is brute-force password guessing?

Trying different passwords randomly in the hope that one will work.

What is a dictionary attack?

Using a dictionary of common passwords to attempt to gain access to a user's computer or network.

How can you protect your password from attacks?

Use password managers, avoid common passwords, and use special characters in your password.

What are some tips for choosing a good password?

Avoid using dictionary words, common misspellings, computer names, and account names. Use special characters and have passwords with ten or more characters. Signup and view all the answers

What is a good tip for choosing a passphrase?

Choose a meaningful statement to you and add special characters. Signup and view all the answers

How does a dictionary attack work?

By copying an encrypted file containing passwords, encrypting a dictionary of common passwords, and comparing the results. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a security event and a security incident?

Security event is a minor disruption while security incident involves intentional damage, theft, or unauthorized access with impact on an organization. Signup and view all the answers

Why are unusual patterns of security events important in detecting security incidents?

Unusual patterns can be an indicator of a security incident. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of monitoring security events in the context of security incident management?

Monitoring security events provides useful information for developing security improvements. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the security incident lifecycle according to SIEM practices?

Detecting and reporting incidents (violations or other intentional intrusions). Signup and view all the answers

How can early and effective incident management help organizations in dealing with security incidents?

It helps to reduce the severity (time and costs) of the impact. Signup and view all the answers

What are some potential consequences of security incidents for organizations?

They can cost a lot of money, disrupt business operations, and create brand damage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum length required for a password according to the new NIST guidelines?

8 characters Signup and view all the answers

What type of authentication method involves using a physical object or a biometric scan in addition to a username/password or PIN?

Two Factor Authentication Signup and view all the answers

What is SQL injection?

A web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to interfere with database queries. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid common passwords like 'password' or 'abc123'?

They are easily guessed and insecure. Signup and view all the answers

How can users improve typing accuracy while entering passwords?

By allowing the user to see the password while typing. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of data might an attacker access through SQL injection?

Data belonging to other users or any data accessible by the application. Signup and view all the answers

What are the countermeasures to prevent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks?

Keep browsers and OS up to date, avoid using suspicious websites, provide training and awareness, sanitize input/validation Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks and Drive-by Download attacks.

XSS attacks manipulate web applications by injecting malicious scripts, while Drive-by Download attacks trick users into downloading malware without their consent. Signup and view all the answers

What is a buffer overflow and how does it occur?

Buffer overflow occurs when the volume of data exceeds the storage capacity of a memory buffer, overwriting adjacent memory locations. Signup and view all the answers

How can buffer overflow vulnerabilities be prevented?

Using a language that does not allow buffer overflows Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of training and awareness in preventing XSS vulnerabilities?

Training and awareness ensure that all involved in building a web application are aware of XSS risks and can take necessary precautions. Signup and view all the answers

Why is input validation essential in protecting against XSS attacks?

Input validation ensures that data received by the application is checked for malicious code before outputting it to the browser, preventing XSS vulnerabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What type of malware locks access to the victim's data and threatens to publish or delete it unless a ransom is paid?

Ransomware Signup and view all the answers

What technique does more advanced ransomware use to encrypt the victim's files?

Crypto viral extortion Signup and view all the answers

What type of malicious software uses a technique that makes files nearly impossible to recover without a decryption key?

Ransomware Signup and view all the answers

What are some common countermeasures against malware attacks?

Antivirus software, Data backups, IDPS Signup and view all the answers

What are some symptoms of malware infection in a computer?

Increase in CPU usage, decrease in computer speed, frequent freezing or crashing, decrease in web browsing speed, unknown processes running, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What are some signs that a computer may be infected with malware?

Unknown files or programs, unexplainable problems with network connections, files being deleted or modified, programs turning off or reconfiguring themselves, email being sent without user consent, presence of unknown files, programs, or desktop icons. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM)

A reliable process is vital to minimize the cost, impact, and duration of security incidents.
SIEM involves detecting, responding to, and recovering from security incidents.

Security Event vs. Security Incident

A security event is a minor disruption to a digital landscape, thought to be unintentional.
Examples of security events include single failed devices or single users forgetting their passwords.
A security incident is intentional damage, theft, or unauthorized access that has a direct or indirect impact on an organization's information, system, or device.

Security Incident Lifecycle

Detecting and reporting incidents is the first step in the security incident lifecycle.
Security incidents can cost a lot of money, disrupt business operations, and create brand damage.
Early and effective incident management helps reduce the severity of the impact.

Types of Malware

Macro viruses
Viruses
Polymorphic Viruses
Logic bombs
Worms
Ransomware
Ransomware blocks access to a victim's data and threatens to publish or delete it unless a ransom is paid.

Symptoms of Malware

Increased CPU usage
Decreased computer speed
Frequent freezing or crashing
Decreased web browsing speed
Unexplainable problems with network connections
Files being deleted or modified
Unknown processes running
Programs turning off or reconfiguring
Emails being sent without user consent
Presence of unknown files, programs, or desktop icons

Password Attacks

Brute-force password guessing
Dictionary attack
Methods to crack passwords include trying different passwords, using dictionary of common passwords, and copying encrypted files

Password Protection

Use password managers to help remember passwords
Tips for choosing a good password:
- Avoid dictionary words or names
- Avoid common misspellings
- Use special characters
- Use a password with ten or more characters
Tips for choosing a good passphrase:
- Choose a meaningful statement
- Add special characters
- The longer the better
- Avoid common or famous statements

NIST Guidelines

Passwords should be at least 8 characters but no more than 64 characters
No common, easily guessed passwords
No composition rules
No knowledge-based authentication
Improve typing accuracy by allowing users to see passwords while typing
All printing characters and spaces are allowed
No password hints
No periodical or arbitrary password expiration

Strong Authentication (Two-Factor Authentication)

Popular online services use two-factor authentication
Need username/password or PIN and a second token for access
Tokens can be physical objects, biometric scans, or other methods

SQL Injection Attacks

SQL injection is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to interfere with queries made to a database
It allows an attacker to view data they are not normally able to retrieve
Countermeasures include keeping browsers and OS up to date and avoiding suspicious websites

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attack

XSS is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to inject malicious code into a web application
Countermeasures include training and awareness, sanitizing input, and input validation

Buffer Overflow

A buffer overflow occurs when the volume of data exceeds the storage capacity of a memory buffer
It can cause a program to write data past the buffer boundary, leading to security vulnerabilities
Countermeasures include using a language that does not allow for buffer overflows

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Description

Test your knowledge on different types of password attacks. Learn about brute-force guessing, dictionary attacks, and other common techniques used to gain unauthorized access to systems.