Types of Cybersecurity Threats: Learn and Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

Which type of malware encrypts files and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them?

Accepted Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Virus

Answer

Trojan horse

Answer

Worm

Question 2

What is the term for a fraudulent email or website that aims to trick users into providing personal information?

Accepted Answer

Phishing

Answer

Spam

Answer

Hacking

Answer

Denial of service

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a firewall in cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

Prevent unauthorized access to a network

Answer

Scan for malware

Answer

Encrypt data

Answer

Provide backup

Question 4

What is the term for a cyberattack that overwhelms a website or network with excessive traffic, making it unavailable?

Accepted Answer

Denial of service

Answer

Malware

Answer

Phishing

Answer

Ransomware

Question 5

What is the purpose of multi-factor authentication?

Accepted Answer

Adding an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verification

Answer

Simplifying the login process

Answer

Preventing brute force attacks

Answer

Encrypting data

Question 6

What is the name of the legal framework that regulates the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information?

Accepted Answer

GDPR

Answer

HIPAA

Answer

PCI DSS

Answer

NIST SP 800-53

Question 7

What's the primary goal of using data breach prevention strategies?

Accepted Answer

Prevent unauthorized access and sharing of sensitive data

Answer

Detect and respond to data breaches as they happen

Answer

Recover lost data after a data breach

Question 8

Which of these is a fundamental cybersecurity best practice?

Accepted Answer

Using strong and unique passwords

Answer

Opening attachments from unknown senders

Answer

Turning off antivirus software

Answer

Sharing personal information on social media

Question 9

Which technique do attackers commonly use to gain unauthorized access to restricted networks or systems?

Accepted Answer

Brute force attack

Answer

Shoulder surfing

Answer

Social engineering

Answer

Spear phishing

Question 10

Which of the following principles is essential in cybersecurity, aiming to prevent unauthorized access to systems or data?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Integrity

Answer

Availability

Answer

Non-repudiation

Question 11

What is the term for a software vulnerability that enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on a victim's computer?

Accepted Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

Cross-site scripting

Answer

SQL injection

Answer

Zero-day exploit

Question 12

What is the main function of a firewall in cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

Detecting and blocking malicious network traffic

Answer

Encrypting data

Answer

Isolating infected devices

Answer

Performing security scans

Question 13

Which type of malware encrypts a victim's files and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them?

Accepted Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Virus

Answer

Trojan

Answer

Spyware

Question 14

What technique involves tricking victims into revealing their personal information by sending fake emails or messages that appear legitimate?

Accepted Answer

Phishing

Answer

Man-in-the-Middle attack

Answer

Denial-of-service attack

Answer

Buffer overflow

Question 15

Which cybersecurity threat involves gaining unauthorized access to and stealing sensitive data from an organization's systems?

Accepted Answer

Data breach

Answer

Malware attack

Answer

Phishing attack

Answer

Ransomware attack

Question 16

What technique is commonly used by attackers to find vulnerabilities in software and exploit them for unauthorized access?

Accepted Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

Brute force

Answer

Social engineering

Answer

Phishing

Question 17

Which fundamental cybersecurity principle focuses on protecting data and systems from unauthorized modification or alteration?

Accepted Answer

Integrity

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Availability

Answer

Non-repudiation

Question 18

What method requires users to provide multiple credentials, such as a username and password, to prevent unauthorized data or system access?

Accepted Answer

Multi-factor authentication

Answer

Biometric authentication

Answer

Encryption

Answer

Access control

Question 19

Which type of cybersecurity threat disrupts website or network operations by overwhelming them with excessive traffic?

Accepted Answer

Denial-of-service attack

Answer

Malware attack

Answer

Phishing attack

Answer

Ransomware attack

Question 20

What technique involves transforming data into an unreadable form to protect it from unauthorized access?

Accepted Answer

Encryption

Answer

Decryption

Answer

Hashing

Answer

Obfuscation

Question 21

Which best practice involves keeping software and systems up-to-date with the latest security patches to prevent vulnerabilities?

Accepted Answer

Patch management

Answer

Vulnerability management

Answer

Risk assessment

Answer

Incident response

Question 22

Which type of cyberattack involves sending targeted emails to trick people into giving up personal or sensitive information?

Accepted Answer

Phishing Attack

Answer

Malware Attack

Answer

Ransomware Attack

Answer

Man-in-the-Middle Attack

Question 23

What is the main function of anti-phishing software?

Accepted Answer

Detecting and blocking phishing emails

Answer

Scanning computers for viruses

Answer

Preventing unauthorized network access

Answer

Recovering lost or stolen data

Question 24

Which type of malware encrypts files and demands a fee to unlock them?

Accepted Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Adware

Answer

Spyware

Answer

Botnet

Question 25

What technique involves deceptive messages (email or text) that seem to come from legitimate sources to obtain sensitive information?

Accepted Answer

Phishing

Answer

Spamming

Answer

Vishing

Answer

Smishing

Question 26

What is the primary purpose of a data breach?

Accepted Answer

To compromise personal information

Answer

To steal financial data

Answer

To disrupt business operations

Answer

To spread malware

Question 27

What is a firewall?

Accepted Answer

A device that monitors and controls network traffic

Answer

A type of intrusion detection system

Answer

A tool for vulnerability scanning

Answer

A backup system for critical data

Question 28

How does a virus differ from a worm?

Accepted Answer

A virus needs a host program to replicate, while a worm is a standalone program

Answer

A worm needs a host program to replicate, while a virus is a standalone program

Answer

Both viruses and worms are standalone programs

Answer

Viruses are always malicious, while worms can be both malicious and benign

Question 29

What is the purpose of a vulnerability scanner?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential security vulnerabilities in systems and networks

Answer

To detect malware infections

Answer

To prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data

Answer

To recover lost data

Question 30

What is the primary objective of phishing attacks?

Accepted Answer

To steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data.

Answer

To corrupt system files and disrupt normal computer operations.

Answer

To deploy ransomware that encrypts files and demands a ransom payment for their release.

Answer

To deface websites by altering their appearance or content.

Question 31

What is the primary objective of a phishing attack?

Accepted Answer

To obtain sensitive information

Answer

To disrupt network operations

Answer

To cause system damage

Answer

To plant malicious software

Question 32

What unique characteristic distinguishes ransomware from other malware types?

Accepted Answer

It encrypts files and demands payment for decryption

Answer

It targets specific individuals or organizations

Answer

It spreads rapidly through email attachments

Answer

It modifies system settings

Question 33

What is the most effective way to protect against social engineering attacks?

Accepted Answer

Remaining vigilant of suspicious emails and attachments

Answer

Utilizing strong passwords

Answer

Keeping software up to date

Answer

Performing regular data backups

Question 34

Which of the following threats specifically targets critical infrastructure?

Accepted Answer

Industrial control system attacks

Answer

Phishing scams

Answer

Malware infections

Answer

SQL injection attacks

Question 35

What is the main purpose of a firewall in a cybersecurity context?

Accepted Answer

To block unauthorized access to a network

Answer

To encrypt data transmissions

Answer

To identify and remove malicious software

Answer

To back up important data

Question 36

What is the primary function of a cybersecurity incident response plan?

Accepted Answer

To prepare for and respond to cybersecurity incidents

Answer

To prevent cybersecurity incidents from occurring

Answer

To investigate cybersecurity incidents

Answer

To recover from cybersecurity incidents

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a common type of malware?

Accepted Answer

Anti-Virus

Answer

Spyware

Answer

Ransomware

Question 38

What is a key characteristic of phishing attacks?

Accepted Answer

They use emails that look legitimate to trick people into giving up personal information.

Answer

They rely on malware to infect devices.

Answer

They only target large organizations with valuable data.

Answer

They require complex technical skills to carry out.

Question 39

Which type of malware encrypts files and demands a ransom payment?

Accepted Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Adware

Answer

Spyware

Answer

Trojan

Question 40

Phishing attacks often use which technique to trick victims?

Accepted Answer

Sending emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources, enticing recipients to reveal personal information.

Answer

Exploiting software or operating system vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to devices.

Answer

Installing malicious software on a device without the user's knowledge.

Answer

Using brute force or social engineering to guess or obtain passwords.

Question 41

Define a botnet.

Accepted Answer

A network of computers controlled by a single attacker, often used for malicious purposes.

Answer

A type of malware that can spread from one device to another without user interaction.

Answer

A software tool used by hackers to scan for vulnerabilities in networks.

Answer

A group of individuals who collaborate to carry out cyberattacks.

Question 42

What is the role of intrusion detection systems (IDSs) in cybersecurity?

Accepted Answer

Identifying and alerting to suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.

Answer

Preventing unauthorized access to networks and systems.

Answer

Detecting and blocking malware infections.

Answer

Encrypting sensitive information.

Question 43

Which of the following types of malware encrypts files and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them?

Accepted Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Trojan

Answer

Spyware

Answer

Virus

Question 44

What is the primary objective of a phishing attack?

Accepted Answer

To deceive victims into disclosing sensitive information

Answer

To steal financial resources

Answer

To damage computer systems

Question 45

What is the key difference between a worm and a virus?

Accepted Answer

Worms are self-replicating and spread independently, while viruses require a host file to infect a system.

Answer

Viruses are more common than worms.

Answer

Worms are more destructive than viruses.

Question 46

Which of the following refers to a type of cyber threat that targets vulnerabilities in web applications?

Accepted Answer

Web application attack

Answer

Phishing

Answer

Social engineering

Answer

Malware

Question 47

What is the primary purpose of using multi-factor authentication?

Accepted Answer

To enhance security by requiring multiple forms of identification

Answer

To encrypt data stored on computer systems

Answer

To prevent unauthorized access to data

Question 48

Which type of cyberattack involves sending fraudulent emails to trick people into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials?

Accepted Answer

Phishing

Answer

Trojan horse attack

Answer

Botnet attack

Answer

Virus attack

Question 49

Which type of cybersecurity threat encrypts files and demands a ransom for their release, making them inaccessible to the victim?

Accepted Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Virus

Answer

Spyware

Answer

Worm

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of malware?

Accepted Answer

It is typically harmless and does not cause any damage to the system.

Answer

It can spread through networks and infect multiple devices.

Answer

It can steal sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

Question 51

Which type of cybersecurity threat involves accessing unauthorized data and potentially compromising its integrity or availability, such as by stealing or destroying it?

Accepted Answer

Data breach

Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Malware

Answer

Phishing

Question 52

Which of the following is a method used by attackers to exploit vulnerabilities in software and gain unauthorized access to systems or data?

Accepted Answer

Exploit

Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Malware

Answer

Phishing

Question 53

Which type of cybersecurity threat involves exploiting human error or carelessness, such as tricking people into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links?

Accepted Answer

Social engineering

Answer

Malware

Answer

Phishing

Question 54

Which of the following is a key difference between malware and ransomware?

Accepted Answer

Malware typically does not encrypt files, while ransomware does.

Answer

Malware can be removed with antivirus software, while ransomware cannot.

Answer

Malware is always spread through email attachments, while ransomware is not.

Question 55

Which type of cybersecurity threat involves sending malicious software through email attachments or links, which can infect devices and cause harm?

Accepted Answer

Malware

Answer

Data breach

Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Phishing

Question 56

Which of the following is a potential consequence of a data breach?

Accepted Answer

Loss of reputation, financial damage, and legal liability.

Answer

Slow internet connection

Answer

Device failure

Answer

Increased productivity