Cybersecurity Laws and Ethics: A Comprehensive Guide for Ethical Hackers

Question 1

Which provision of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) prohibits unauthorized access to and damage of computer systems?

Accepted Answer

Section 1030(a)(2)

Answer

Section 1030(b)

Answer

Section 1030(c)

Answer

Section 1030(d)

Question 2

What legal action might be brought against a company that fails to take reasonable steps to protect customer data from unauthorized access or disclosure?

Accepted Answer

Data breach lawsuit

Answer

RICO violation

Answer

Cybersecurity insurance claim

Answer

Intellectual property theft claim

Question 3

Under the ethical principle of beneficence, ethical hackers should use their skills only for:

Accepted Answer

Legal and legitimate purposes

Answer

To expose vulnerabilities

Answer

Revenge

Answer

Personal gain

Question 4

Which law prohibits the interception or disclosure of electronic communications without authorization?

Accepted Answer

Wiretap Act

Answer

Patriot Act

Answer

CFAA

Answer

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Question 5

Which ethical principle highlights the need to respect the privacy of individuals?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Transparency

Answer

Competence

Answer

Accountability

Question 6

What is the primary focus of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act?

Accepted Answer

Protection of investors from corporate fraud

Answer

Establishment of industry standards for cybersecurity

Answer

Prevention of cyberattacks

Answer

Regulation of ethical hacking techniques

Question 7

In a data breach lawsuit, what defense may help mitigate liability for a company?

Accepted Answer

Demonstrating due diligence in protecting data

Answer

Lack of resources

Answer

Intentional disregard for data security

Answer

Lack of awareness

Question 8

Under ethical guidelines, ethical hackers have an obligation to:

Accepted Answer

Disclose vulnerabilities responsibly

Answer

Sell vulnerabilities to the highest bidder

Answer

Withhold vulnerabilities for personal gain

Answer

Ignore vulnerabilities

Question 9

Which of the following federal laws criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems and networks?

Accepted Answer

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

Answer

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Answer

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

Question 10

What type of cyberattack involves the unauthorized interception of electronic communications?

Accepted Answer

Eavesdropping

Answer

Denial-of-service attack

Answer

Malware

Answer

Phishing

Question 11

Which of the following is an ethical consideration that should guide ethical hackers when conducting authorized security assessments?

Accepted Answer

Respect for privacy

Answer

Ignorance of legal consequences

Answer

Unrestricted use of vulnerabilities

Answer

Pursuit of financial gain

Question 12

What is the legal defense of 'authorized access' in the context of cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

The defendant had permission to access the system or data.

Answer

The defendant used reasonable security measures.

Answer

The defendant did not intend to cause harm.

Question 13

Which of the following is a common technique used by hackers to exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities?

Accepted Answer

Inserting malicious SQL statements into input fields

Answer

Cross-site scripting

Answer

Brute-force attacks

Question 14

Which of the following is a recommended best practice for protecting personal data from unauthorized access?

Accepted Answer

Encryption

Answer

Leaving data unencrypted

Answer

Storing data on unsecured devices

Answer

Sharing data with third parties without permission

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of a 'security audit' in the context of cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

To identify vulnerabilities and risks in a computer system or network.

Answer

To prevent cyberattacks

Answer

To monitor network traffic for suspicious activity

Question 16

What is the ethical obligation of cybersecurity professionals to report vulnerabilities they discover in software or hardware?

Accepted Answer

To disclose vulnerabilities responsibly to the vendor and users.

Answer

To keep vulnerabilities secret to prevent exploitation

Answer

To sell vulnerability information to the highest bidder

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a recognized legal framework for cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

The Wild West Framework

Answer

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework

Answer

The ISO/IEC 27000 Series

Question 18

What type of law criminalizes the unauthorized access of a computer system or network?

Accepted Answer

Computer Crime Law

Answer

Property Law

Answer

Tort Law

Answer

Privacy Law

Question 19

Which of the following is a key principle of ethical hacking?

Accepted Answer

Obtain informed consent before conducting any hacking activities

Answer

Hack into as many systems as possible

Answer

Use only known vulnerabilities to exploit a target

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

Accepted Answer

To protect the privacy and security of health information

Answer

To regulate the use of technology in healthcare

Answer

To ensure fair access to healthcare insurance

Question 21

What is the role of cybersecurity insurance in mitigating legal risks?

Accepted Answer

To provide financial coverage for damages and expenses incurred due to cybersecurity incidents

Answer

To replace the need for legal compliance measures

Answer

To prevent cybersecurity incidents from occurring

Question 22

Which of the following is a best practice for organizations to follow when handling cybersecurity incidents?

Accepted Answer

Create and maintain an incident response plan

Answer

Pay the ransom demands immediately

Answer

Ignore the incident and hope it goes away

Answer

Delete all evidence of the incident

Question 23

What is the primary objective of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?

Accepted Answer

To protect individuals' personal data and privacy rights

Answer

To prevent cyberbullying

Answer

To regulate the use of artificial intelligence

Question 24

Which of the following is a legal obligation for vendors under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)?

Accepted Answer

Implement specific cybersecurity practices and controls

Answer

Guarantee the absence of any vulnerabilities in their products

Answer

Provide training on cybersecurity best practices to customers

Question 25

What is the purpose of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001 certification?

Accepted Answer

To demonstrate an organization's adherence to best practices for information security management

Answer

To guarantee the complete protection of an organization's information assets

Answer

To ensure compliance with all applicable cybersecurity laws and regulations

Question 26

Which federal law in the United States specifically prohibits the unauthorized access of computer systems?

Accepted Answer

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

Answer

Fair Credit Reporting Act

Answer

USA PATRIOT Act

Answer

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

Question 27

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) primarily aims to protect:

Accepted Answer

Privacy of health information

Answer

Use of encryption

Answer

Identity from theft

Answer

Financial data

Question 28

In the event of a security breach involving the theft of sensitive data, the most appropriate initial action is to:

Accepted Answer

Notify affected individuals and relevant authorities immediately

Answer

Conceal the breach to avoid reputational damage

Answer

Delete the stolen data to prevent further compromise

Question 29

Which type of cyberattack aims to disrupt the availability of a system by overwhelming it with excessive traffic?

Accepted Answer

Denial of Service (DoS)

Answer

Man-in-the-Middle

Answer

Phishing

Answer

Malware

Question 30

A Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan (CSIRP) primarily serves to:

Accepted Answer

Establish procedures for responding to and recovering from cybersecurity incidents

Answer

Train employees on cybersecurity best practices

Answer

Monitor network traffic for suspicious activities

Answer

Identify potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities

Question 31

In the United States, which agency is primarily responsible for coordinating cybersecurity efforts and enforcing cybersecurity regulations?

Accepted Answer

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Answer

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Answer

National Security Agency (NSA)

Answer

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Question 32

As cybersecurity professionals, we have an ethical obligation to:

Accepted Answer

Report vulnerabilities to vendors and authorities responsibly to mitigate risks

Answer

Sell vulnerability information to the highest bidder

Answer

Keep vulnerabilities secret to prevent exploitation

Answer

Ignore vulnerabilities that do not pose immediate threats

Question 33

What is the primary objective of a vulnerability assessment?

Accepted Answer

To systematically identify, prioritize, and analyze potential weaknesses in a system or network

Answer

To guarantee the prevention of data breaches

Answer

To determine the immediate impact of a cyberattack

Question 34

Which federal law in the United States explicitly prohibits unauthorized access to computer systems?

Accepted Answer

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

Answer

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Question 35

Which of the following actions is considered a best practice for protecting against phishing attacks?

Accepted Answer

Being cautious of unsolicited emails and links

Answer

Using weak passwords

Answer

Clicking on all email attachments

Answer

Providing personal information to unknown senders

Question 36

What is the primary function of a firewall in a network security system?

Accepted Answer

To monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules

Answer

To detect and remove viruses and malware

Answer

To physically prevent unauthorized access to a building

Question 37

In the context of cybersecurity, which legal principle applies when an employee's violation of a company's cybersecurity policy results in a data breach?

Accepted Answer

Negligence

Answer

Strict Liability

Answer

Vicarious Liability

Answer

Contributory Negligence

Question 38

Which US law is primarily focused on the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) in the healthcare industry?

Accepted Answer

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

Answer

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Question 39

Which ethical hacking principle emphasizes reporting vulnerabilities to vendors privately and responsibly to allow timely remediation?

Accepted Answer

Responsible Disclosure

Answer

Zero-Day Exploitation

Answer

Hacktivism

Answer

Full Disclosure

Question 40

In the event of a suspected cyber espionage attack against their organization, what should a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) prioritize as their initial action?

Accepted Answer

Collecting evidence and reporting the incident to appropriate law enforcement authorities

Answer

Initiating a counter-attack against the suspected perpetrator

Answer

Publicly disclosing the incident to the media

Question 41

When conducting vulnerability scanning on a company's network without prior authorization, which legal concern should be considered?

Accepted Answer

Potential violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

Answer

Ethical justifications for ethical hacking purposes

Answer

Compliance with the company's cybersecurity policy

Question 42

Which key provision of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) empowers individuals to request the erasure of their personal data from organizations?

Accepted Answer

The right to erasure (right to be forgotten)

Answer

The right to free speech

Answer

The right to bear arms

Answer

The right to a fair trial

Question 43

A company's website suffers a security breach, leading to the theft of sensitive customer data. Which US law requires the company to notify affected individuals about this breach?

Accepted Answer

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

Answer

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Answer

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)

Answer

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Question 44

Which of these scenarios best describes a 'denial-of-service' (DoS) attack?

Accepted Answer

A website is overwhelmed with excessive traffic, causing it to crash and become unavailable.

Answer

Malicious software infiltrates a user's computer and steals their login credentials.

Answer

A hacker gains unauthorized access to a company's network and steals sensitive customer data.

Question 45

An individual is arrested for accessing a government website without authorization. Which US law is most likely to be applied in this case?

Accepted Answer

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

Answer

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Answer

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)

Answer

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Question 46

In the context of cybersecurity investigations, what is the primary purpose of a 'warrant'?

Accepted Answer

To provide legal authorization for law enforcement to search for and seize evidence.

Answer

To safeguard the privacy of individuals involved in the investigation.

Answer

To authorize the use of hacking tools during investigations.

Question 47

A company decides to use a vulnerability scanner to identify potential weaknesses in their network. Before proceeding, what legal principle should they consider?

Accepted Answer

Responsible Disclosure

Answer

Copyright Infringement

Answer

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Question 48

In the US, which law specifically addresses the protection of personally identifiable information (PII)?

Accepted Answer

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Answer

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

Question 49

A cybersecurity professional discovers a vulnerability in a widely used software application. They report it to the vendor but also publish details of the vulnerability on a public forum. What legal issue might arise from this action?

Accepted Answer

Violation of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

Answer

Copyright Infringement

Answer

Data Protection Act Violation

Answer

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) Violation

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a common legal defense against a claim alleging a breach of cybersecurity due to negligence?

Accepted Answer

Demonstrating the attacker's intent to cause harm

Answer

Demonstrating regular security audits and updates

Answer

Proving implementation of reasonable security measures

Answer

Establishing a documented security policy

Question 51

An individual gains unauthorized access to a company's network but doesn't cause any damage or steal any data. Which US law might still be applicable in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)

Answer

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Answer

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer

Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)

Question 52

Which legal principle emphasizes the importance of organizations taking reasonable steps to protect sensitive information?

Accepted Answer

Due Diligence

Answer

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Answer

Fair Use

Answer

Copyright Infringement

Question 53

Which of the following scenarios would likely constitute a violation of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)?

Accepted Answer

Accessing someone's email account without their consent

Answer

Using a company's Wi-Fi network without permission

Answer

Accessing a public website with a VPN

Question 54

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the legal implications of using a vulnerability scanner to test the security of a company's own systems?

Accepted Answer

It's generally acceptable, but companies should have a written policy and obtain consent from relevant parties.

Answer

It's always illegal and can lead to criminal charges.

Question 55

What is the main purpose of a 'warrant' in the context of cybersecurity investigations?

Accepted Answer

To legally authorize law enforcement to access and seize digital evidence.

Answer

To regulate the use of vulnerability scanners.

Answer

To provide a legal defense against cybersecurity attacks.

Question 56

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'due care' in relation to cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

Taking reasonable steps to protect sensitive information based on industry best practices and risk assessments.

Answer

Using the latest and most advanced security technologies.