CCNA Security Chapter 1 Exam Answers (CCNAS v1.2 and v1.1)
1. What are the basic phases of attack that can be used by a virus or worm in sequential order?
- paralyze, probe, penetrate, persist, and propagate
- probe, penetrate, persist, propagate, and paralyze
- penetrate, persist, propagate, paralyze, and probe
- persist, propagate, paralyze, probe, and penetrate
2. Which two are characteristics of DoS attacks? (Choose two.)
- They always precede access attacks.
- They attempt to compromise the availability of a network, host, or application.
- They are difficult to conduct and are initiated only by very skilled attackers.
- They are commonly launched with a tool called L0phtCrack.
- Examples include smurf attacks and ping of death attacks.
3. Users report to the helpdesk that icons usually seen on the menu bar are randomly appearing on their computer screens. What could be a reason that computers are displaying these random graphics?
- An access attack has occurred.
- A virus has infected the computers.
- A DoS attack has been launched against the network.
- The computers are subject to a reconnaissance attack.
Explanation: A virus such as this is harmless, but still needs to be removed. Other viruses can be destructive in that they modify or delete files on the local computer and possibly other computers on the network.
4. What are three types of access attacks? (Choose three.)
- buffer overflow
- ping sweep
- port redirection
- trust exploitation
- port scan
- Internet information query
5. What occurs during a spoofing attack?
- One device falsifies data to gain access to privileged information.
- Large amounts of network traffic are sent to a target device to make resources unavailable to intended users.
- Improperly formatted packets are forwarded to a target device to cause the target system to crash.
- A program writes data beyond the allocated memory to enable the execution of malicious code.
6. What is a characteristic of a Trojan Horse?
- A Trojan Horse can be carried in a virus or worm.
- A proxy Trojan Horse opens port 21 on the target system.
- An FTP Trojan Horse stops anti-virus programs or firewalls from functioning.
- A Trojan Horse can be hard to detect because it closes when the application that launched it closes.
7. Which phase of worm mitigation requires compartmentalization and segmentation of the network to slow down or stop the worm and prevent currently infected hosts from targeting and infecting other systems?
- containment phase
- inoculation phase
- quarantine phase
- treatment phase
8. Which two statements are characteristics of a virus? (Choose two.)
- A virus typically requires end-user activation.
- A virus has an enabling vulnerability, a propagation mechanism, and a payload.
- A virus replicates itself by independently exploiting vulnerabilities in networks.
- A virus provides the attacker with sensitive data, such as passwords.
- A virus can be dormant and then activate at a specific time or date.
Explanation: The type of end user interaction required to launch a virus is typically opening an application, opening a web page, or powering on the computer. Once activated, a virus may infect other files located on the computer or other computers on the same network.
9. What is a ping sweep?
- A ping sweep is a network scanning technique that indicates the live hosts in a range of IP addresses.
- A ping sweep is a software application that enables the capture of all network packets sent across a LAN.
- A ping sweep is a scanning technique that examines a range of TCP or UDP port numbers on a host to detect listening services.
- A ping sweep is a query and response protocol that identifies information about a domain, including the addresses assigned to that domain.
Explanation: A ping sweep is a tool that is used during a reconnaissance attack. Other tools that might be used during this type of attack include a ping sweep, port scan, or Internet information query. A reconnaissance attack is used to gather information about a particular network, usually in preparation for another type of network attack.
10. Which type of security threat can be described as software that attaches to another program to execute a specific unwanted function?
- virus
- worm
- proxy Trojan horse
- Denial of Service Trojan horse
11. A disgruntled employee is using Wireshark to discover administrative Telnet usernames and passwords. What type of network attack does this describe?
- Denial of Service
- port redirection
- reconnaissance
- trust exploitation
Explanation: Wireshark is a free download that allows network packet inspection. Someone using this tool for malicious intent would be performing a reconnaissance attack. Through the capture of network packets, weak security network connectivity protocols such as Telnet can be caught, inspected, and then analyzed for detailed network information, including passwords.
12. What occurs during the persist phase of a worm attack?
- identification of vulnerable targets
- modification of system files and registry settings to ensure that the attack code is running
- transfer of exploit code through an attack vector
- extension of the attack to vulnerable neighboring targets
13. What are the three major components of a worm attack? (Choose three.)
- enabling vulnerability
- infecting vulnerability
- payload
- penetration mechanism
- probing mechanism
- propagation mechanism
Explanation: A computer can have a worm installed through an email attachment, an executable program file, or a Trojan Horse. The worm attack not only affects one computer, but replicates to other computers. What the worm leaves behind is the payload–the code that results in some action.
14. A network administrator detects unknown sessions involving port 21 on the network. What could be causing this security breach?
- An FTP Trojan Horse is executing.
- A reconnaissance attack is occurring.
- A denial of service attack is occurring.
- Cisco Security Agent is testing the network.
Explanation: Network security personnel must be familiar with port numbers in order to identify the service being attacked. Well-known port number 21 is used to initiate an FTP connection to an FTP server. Well-known port 20 is then used to transfer data between the two devices. If the device connecting to the FTP server is unknown and launching an attack, the type of attack might be an FTP Trojan horse.
15. What are three goals of a port scan attack? (Choose three.)
- disable used ports and services
- determine potential vulnerabilities
- identify active services
- identify peripheral configurations
- identify operating systems
- discover system passwords
16. How is a Smurf attack conducted?
- by sending a large number of packets, overflowing the allocated buffer memory of the target device
- by sending an echo request in an IP packet larger than the maximum packet size of 65,535 bytes
- by sending a large number of ICMP requests to directed broadcast addresses from a spoofed source address on the same network
- by sending a large number of TCP SYN packets to a target device from a spoofed source address
17. Which access attack method involves a software program attempting to discover a system password by using an electronic dictionary?
- buffer overflow attack
- port redirection attack
- Denial of Service attack
- brute-force attack
- IP spoofing attack
- packet sniffer attack
18 Which two network security solutions can be used to mitigate DoS attacks? (Choose two.)
- virus scanning
- data encryption
- anti-spoofing technologies
- intrusion protection systems
- applying user authentication
Explanation: Antivirus software is used to protect a system against viruses. Encryption helps with reconnaissance and man-in-the-middle attacks. The most important components that are used to deal with DoS attacks are firewalls and IPSes.
19. Which phase of worm mitigation involves terminating the worm process, removing modified files or system settings that the worm introduced, and patching the vulnerability that the worm used to exploit the system?
- containment
- inoculation
- quarantine
- treatment
20. Which characteristic best describes the network security Compliance domain as specified by the ISO/IEC?
- the integration of security into applications
- an inventory and classification scheme for information assets
- the restriction of access rights to networks, systems, applications, functions, and data
- the process of ensuring conformance with security information policies, standards, and regulations
21. Which statement describes phone freaking?
- A hacker uses password-cracking programs to gain access to a computer via a dialup account.
- A hacker gains unauthorized access to networks via wireless access points.
- A hacker mimics a tone using a whistle to make free long-distance calls on an analog telephone network.
- A hacker uses a program that automatically scans telephone numbers within a local area, dialing each one in search of computers, bulletin board systems, and fax machines.
22. Which two statements describe access attacks? (Choose two.)
- Port redirection attacks use a network adapter card in promiscuous mode to capture all network packets that are sent across a LAN.
- Password attacks can be implemented using brute-force attack methods, Trojan Horses, or packet sniffers.
- Buffer overflow attacks write data beyond the allocated buffer memory to overwrite valid data or exploit systems to execute malicious code.
- Port scanning attacks scan a range of TCP or UDP port numbers on a host to detect listening services.
- Trust exploitation attacks can use a laptop acting as a rogue access point to capture and copy all network traffic in a public location on a wireless hotspot.
Explanation: An access attack tries to gain access to a resource using a hijacked account or other means. The five types of access attacks include the following:
password – a dictionary is used for repeated login attempts
trust exploitation – uses granted privileges to access unauthorized material
port redirection – uses a compromised internal host to pass traffic through a firewall
man-in-the-middle – an unauthorized device positioned between two legitimate devices in order to redirect or capture traffic
buffer overflow – too much data sent to a memory location that already contains data
23. Which statement accurately characterizes the evolution of network security?
- Internal threats can cause even greater damage than external threats.
- Internet architects planned for network security from the beginning.
- Early Internet users often engaged in activities that would harm other users.
- Threats have become less sophisticated while the technical knowledge needed by an attacker has grown.
24. Which three options describe the phases of worm mitigation? (Choose three.)
- The containment phase requires the use of incoming and outgoing ACLs on routers and firewalls.
- The containment phase tracks down and identifies the infected machines within the contained areas.
- The inoculation phase disconnects, blocks, or removes infected machines.
- The inoculation phase patches uninfected systems with the appropriate vendor patch for the vulnerability.
- The quarantine phase terminates the worm process, removes modified files or system settings, and patches the vulnerability the worm used to exploit the system.
- The treatment phase disinfects actively infected systems.
25. An attacker is using a laptop as a rogue access point to capture all network traffic from a targeted user. Which type of attack is this?
- trust exploitation
- buffer overflow
- man in the middle
- port redirection
Explanation: An access attack tries to gain access to a resource using a hijacked account or other means. The five types of access attacks include the following:password – a dictionary is used for repeated login attempts
trust exploitation – uses granted privileges to access unauthorized material
port redirection – uses a compromised internal host to pass traffic through a firewall
man-in-the-middle – an unauthorized device positioned between two legitimate devices in order to redirect or capture traffic
buffer overflow – too much data sent to a memory location that already contains data
26. What is considered a valid method of securing the control plane in the Cisco NFP framework?
- authorization of actions
- DHCP snooping
- dynamic ARP inspection
- login and password policy
- routing protocol authentication
- role-based access control
27. A port scan is classified as what type of attack?
- access attack
- Denial of Service attack
- reconnaissance attack
- spoofing attack
28. Which type of software typically uses a network adapter card in promiscuous mode to capture all network packets that are sent across a LAN?
- port scanner
- ping sweeper
- packet sniffer
- Internet information query
29. What are two reasons for securing the data plane in the Cisco NFP framework? (Choose two.)
- to protect against DoS attacks
- to provide bandwidth control
- to force technicians to use SSH and HTTPS when managing devices
- to provide a record of who accessed the device, what occurred, and when it occurred
- to allow users to control the flow of traffic that is managed by the route processor of their network devices
30. What are the three components of information security? (Choose three.)
- availability
- connectivity
- confidentiality
- disclosure
- integrity
- safety
31. Which domain of network security would contain a document that specifies the level of access that college staff have to the student records server?
- asset management
- communication and network management
- risk assessment
- security policy
32. Which security organization would most likely coordinate communication between security experts in various US agencies when a security attack has been launched?
- CERT
- CIS
- (ISC)2
- SANS
33. How would limiting the type and number of input characters on a web page help with network security?
- It deters hacking.
- It provides content filtering.
- It protects from DoS attacks.
- It prevents open ports from being used in an improper manner.
34. Which access attack method involves a software program that attempts to discover a system password by the use of an electronic dictionary?
- port redirection attack
- brute-force attack
- buffer overflow attack
- packet sniffer attack
- IP spoofing attack
- denial of service attack
Explanation: An access attack tries to affect services that affect entry into accounts, databases, and other sensitive information. Access attacks commonly involve a dictionary ths is used to guess a specific user password. A brute-force access attack would try to access an account via repeated attempts.
35. Which two statements characterize DoS attacks? (Choose two.)
- They are difficult to conduct and are initiated only by very skilled attackers.
- They are commonly launched with a tool called L0phtCrack.
- Examples include smurf attacks and ping of death attacks.
- They attempt to compromise the availability of a network, host, or application.
- They always precede access attacks.
Explanation: DoS attacks can be launched using free software downloaded from the Internet. The software is designed to consume resources in order to disrupt network operations for legitimate network users and network devices. The L0phtCrack or LC5 application is used to perform a brute-force attack to obtain a Windows server password.
36. What is a characteristic of a Trojan horse as it relates to network security?
- Malware is contained in a seemingly legitimate executable program.
- Extreme quantities of data are sent to a particular network device interface.
- An electronic dictionary is used to obtain a password to be used to infiltrate a key network device.
- Too much information is destined for a particular memory block, causing additional memory areas to be affected.
Explanation: A Trojan horse carries out malicious operations under the guise of a legitimate program. Denial of service attacks send extreme quantities of data to a particular host or network device interface. Password attacks use electronic dictionaries in an attempt to learn passwords. Buffer overflow attacks exploit memory buffers by sending too much information to a host to render the system inoperable.
37. Which three statements accurately describe three phases of worm mitigation? (Choose three.)
- The containment phase requires the use of incoming and outgoing ACLs on routers and firewalls.
- The containment phase tracks down and identifies the infected machines within the contained areas.
- The inoculation phase disconnects, blocks, or removes infected machines.
- The inoculation phase patches uninfected systems with the appropriate vendor patch for the vulnerability.
- The quarantine phase terminates the worm process, removes modified files or system settings, and patches the vulnerability the worm used to exploit the system.
- The treatment phase disinfects actively infected systems.
38. What causes a buffer overflow?
- launching a security countermeasure to mitigate a Trojan horse
- downloading and installing too many software updates at one time
- attempting to write more data to a memory location than that location can hold
- sending too much information to two or more interfaces of the same device, thereby causing dropped packets
- sending repeated connections such as Telnet to a particular device, thus denying other data sources
Explanation: By sending too much data to a specific area of memory, adjacent memory locations are overwritten, which causes a security issue because the program in the overwritten memory location is affected.