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1. What is Cyber security?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computers, networks, data, and systems from
unauthorized access, attacks, or damage. It includes tools and techniques that protect information
from hackers, malware, and other digital threats. The goal is to ensure that data stays private,
accurate, and accessible only to those who should see it.

2. What are the key components of cybersecurity?

• Confidentiality – Ensuring that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized

people and kept private.

• Integrity – Protecting data from being altered or tampered with, keeping it accurate and
trustworthy.

• Availability – ensure that data and systems are accessible to authorized users when
needed.

• Authentication – Verifying the identity of users to ensure they are who they say they are
before allowing access to systems or data.

• Non-repudiation – Ensuring actions or transactions cannot be denied by the people who

carried them out, providing proof of data origin and ownership.

3. Explain the CIA Triad and its importance in cybersecurity.

The CIA Triad stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability, the three fundamental
principles of cybersecurity. Confidentiality ensures that sensitive information is accessible only
to authorized users, Integrity maintains the accuracy and trustworthiness of the data, and
Availability ensures that information and systems are accessible when needed. Together, they
form the core objectives of cybersecurity, helping protect data and systems from unauthorized
access and modification while ensuring resources are accessible to legitimate users.
 4. What is phishing, and how can you prevent it?
Phishing is a social engineering attack. In this, the attacker poses as a trusted entity to trick
people into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, often
through email or fake websites.
To prevent phishing, we can use employee training to raise awareness, deploy email filters to
detect and block phishing emails, implement two-factor authentication (2FA) to reduce the
impact of compromised credentials, and regularly update security software to detect malicious
links and attachments.

5. What is the difference between vulnerability, threat, and risk?

• A vulnerability - a weakness in a system or network that could be exploited, like outdated
software or poor password policies.
• A threat - anything that could exploit a vulnerability, such as a cybercriminal or a
malware attack.
• Risk is the potential for loss or damage when a threat exploits a vulnerability.
For example, if an organization has a weak firewall (vulnerability), and attackers attempt to hack
it (threat), the risk is the likelihood of data breach or system damage.

6. How do you prioritize and address security vulnerabilities?

I would take these steps,
• Identify and Assess – First, identify vulnerabilities using security tools, like vulnerability
scanners, and analyze their potential impact and likelihood of being exploited.
• Classify by Severity and Risk – Use a standard like CVSS (Common Vulnerability
Scoring System) to score each vulnerability, categorizing them as high, medium, or low
severity. Focus on high-risk vulnerabilities that could cause the most damage or are most
likely to be exploited.
• Consider Business Impact – Prioritize vulnerabilities based on the systems they affect.
For example, vulnerabilities in critical systems or those with sensitive data take higher
priority.
• Plan and Implement Fixes – Develop a timeline to address each vulnerability, starting
with the highest priority. This might include applying patches, reconfiguring settings, or
implementing additional security controls.
• Test and Validate Fixes – After implementing fixes, test the system to ensure the
vulnerability is resolved without causing other issues.
• Monitor and Reassess – Continuously monitor the environment for new vulnerabilities
and re-assess periodically to stay on top of evolving risks.
7. common cyber attacks

• Phishing
This is when hackers try to trick you into sharing personal information by pretending to
be a trustworthy source. They often do this through fake emails or messages that look like
they’re from banks or popular websites.

• Malware
Malware is any software designed to harm your device or steal your data. It includes
things like viruses, spyware, and ransomware. Malware can get into your device through
downloads, infected websites, or USB drives.

• Ransomware
A type of malware that locks you out of your device or files until you pay a ransom to the
attacker. Often, the attacker promises to unlock your files if you pay, but there’s no
guarantee they actually will.

• Denial of Service (DoS) Attack

In a DoS attack, hackers overload a website or service with traffic, causing it to slow
down or crash so real users can’t access it. A more advanced version, called a Distributed
Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, involves multiple computers in the attack.

• Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack

This is when attackers secretly intercept and alter communication between two parties.
For example, they might intercept information you’re sending to a website, like your
login details, by positioning themselves between you and the website.

• SQL Injection
A technique used to insert malicious code into a website’s database, often through forms
on a website (like a search or login box). This can allow attackers to access, alter, or
delete sensitive information stored in the database.

• Password Attack
This is when attackers try to guess or steal passwords. They can use techniques like
"brute force" (trying many combinations quickly) or "dictionary attacks" (using common
words and variations).

• Zero-Day Exploit
A cyberattack that targets a software vulnerability that the software maker doesn’t yet
 know about, making it “zero-day” old. These attacks can be dangerous because there’s no
fix yet for the vulnerability.

• Social Engineering
This is when attackers manipulate people into revealing confidential information by
building trust or playing on emotions. For example, they might pretend to be a tech
support person to get you to share your login info.

• Trojan Ransomware
Trojan ransomware hides itself as a legitimate file or program, often disguised as
something harmless to trick users into downloading or executing it. Once activated, it
installs ransomware on the system, encrypting files or locking the device.

Network Security

8. Describe some common network security protocols (e.g., HTTPS, SSL/TLS, IPSec).
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): HTTPS is an extension of HTTP that encrypts
data exchanged between a user's browser and a web server. It uses SSL/TLS protocols to
establish a secure connection, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality, commonly used in
online banking and secure transactions.

SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer / Transport Layer Security): SSL and its successor TLS are
protocols that encrypt data over the internet. They establish a secure connection by creating an
encrypted channel between clients and servers, authenticating both parties and ensuring data
remains private and unaltered.

IPSec (Internet Protocol Security): IPSec is a suite of protocols that secures internet
communications by encrypting and authenticating IP packets. It operates on the network layer,
enabling secure VPNs and protecting data transmitted across public networks by using
encryption algorithms and hashing for integrity.

9. What are the differences between IDS and IPS? How do they work?
IDS (Intrusion Detection System): An IDS monitors network traffic for suspicious activities or
policy violations and alerts administrators if such activities are detected. It does not take any
action to block or prevent the traffic; instead, it provides visibility into potential threats.

IPS (Intrusion Prevention System): An IPS not only detects but also actively prevents
malicious traffic from entering the network. It monitors traffic in real-time, detects known threats
based on signatures or anomaly behavior, and blocks or mitigates the threat before it reaches the
network.

Key Difference: IDS is passive and only alerts, whereas IPS is active and blocks detected
threats.

10. Explain the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption.

Symmetric Encryption: Uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. It is faster and
suitable for large data volumes but requires a secure way to share the key. Common algorithms
include AES and DES.

Asymmetric Encryption: Uses a pair of keys – a public key for encryption and a private key for
decryption. It is slower but more secure for key exchange, commonly used in SSL/TLS. RSA
and ECC are popular asymmetric algorithms.

Key Difference: Symmetric encryption uses one key for both encryption and decryption, while
asymmetric encryption uses two keys.

11. What is a firewall, and how does it enhance network security?

A firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing
network traffic based on predefined security rules.
It acts as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks, such as the internet. Firewalls can
prevent unauthorized access, filter traffic, and block malicious data, enhancing network security
by reducing exposure to potential attacks and ensuring only authorized data packets reach the
network.

Defensive Security and Threat Detection

12. What is threat intelligence, and how is it used in cybersecurity?

Threat intelligence involves gathering, analyzing, and applying information about potential cyber
threats that could impact an organization. It includes data on known threats, like malware
signatures, hacker tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and details about vulnerabilities.
In cybersecurity, threat intelligence helps organizations stay proactive, allowing security teams to
understand who might target them, the methods they might use, and the vulnerabilities they may
exploit. This knowledge helps improve incident response, optimize defenses, and ensure that
protective measures align with current and emerging threats. By leveraging threat intelligence, an
organization can strengthen its defenses and be better prepared to detect and mitigate threats
before they lead to incidents.

13. Describe the roles of blue teams and red teams in cybersecurity.
In cybersecurity, blue teams and red teams play complementary roles to strengthen an
organization's security posture. The blue team is responsible for defending the organization’s
systems and networks. They focus on proactive measures like monitoring, threat detection,
incident response, and fortifying defenses. Blue teams continuously work on identifying
vulnerabilities, patching them, and implementing security best practices to prevent attacks. On
the other hand, the red team simulates attacks, attempting to penetrate the organization’s defenses
just like a real attacker would. This team’s goal is to expose weaknesses by conducting ethical
hacking, penetration testing, and social engineering. The insights gained from these simulations
allow the blue team to improve defenses, making the organization more resilient against real-
world threats.

14. How would you respond to a suspected data breach?

If a data breach is suspected, I would immediately initiate an incident response plan to contain
the potential damage. First, I would isolate affected systems from the network to prevent further
data loss. Next, I’d investigate by analyzing system logs, network traffic, and any available
evidence to determine the source and extent of the breach. I’d then work with the security team
to assess what data may have been accessed or compromised. After identifying the root cause, I
would apply patches or fixes to prevent the issue from recurring. Communication is also
essential, so I would notify relevant stakeholders and, if required, report the breach to regulatory
authorities. Lastly, a post-incident review would help us understand how to improve our
defenses and prevent future breaches.

15. Explain common attack vectors, like phishing, malware, or ransomware, and how to
prevent them.
Attack vectors are methods attackers use to infiltrate systems. Phishing involves tricking users
into revealing sensitive information by posing as a legitimate entity. This can be prevented by
implementing email filtering, educating users on recognizing phishing attempts, and using multi-
factor authentication to protect accounts. Malware is malicious software designed to harm or
gain unauthorized access to systems, often spread through infected files or software downloads.
Preventing malware includes using antivirus software, keeping systems patched, and avoiding
downloads from untrusted sources. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts data, holding
it hostage until a ransom is paid. Defenses against ransomware include regular data backups,
access control, network segmentation, and user awareness training to avoid opening malicious
attachments. Each of these measures contributes to a layered defense, making it harder for
attackers to succeed.

Security Tools and Frameworks

16. Which security tools are you familiar with? (e.g., Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit)
I have experience with several security tools, including Wireshark for network traffic
analysis, Nmap for network scanning and identifying open ports, and Metasploit for
penetration testing and simulating attacks. I’ve also used Burp Suite for web application
security testing and Splunk for log analysis and monitoring
17. Can you describe SIEM ?
SIEM stands for Security Information and Event Management. It’s a system that collects,
analyzes, and correlates security data from across an organization’s IT environment,
including logs from servers, applications, network devices, and other systems.

SIEM tools help identify potential security threats and respond to them by:
1. Centralizing Logs: Gathering logs from various sources to provide a unified view of
security events.
2. Real-Time Monitoring: Continuously monitoring for suspicious activity or anomalies.
3. Alerting and Reporting: Triggering alerts for security incidents and generating reports
to support compliance.
4. Incident Investigation: Allowing security teams to analyze incidents, investigate root
causes, and take appropriate actions.

18. Explain how you would use vulnerability scanners and how they work.
I use vulnerability scanners, like Nessus or OpenVAS, to identify weaknesses in systems and
networks. These tools scan for known vulnerabilities, such as outdated software or
misconfigurations, and provide a report with risk ratings. I analyze these findings to prioritize
and remediate vulnerabilities, ensuring systems stay secure.

Technical Scenario-Based Questions

19. If an employee clicks on a phishing link, how would you respond?

If an employee clicks on a phishing link, I would respond by taking immediate action to contain
any potential threat. First, I would instruct the employee to disconnect from the network and shut
down their device to limit further spread of any malware. Next, I’d notify the IT and security
teams about the incident so they can conduct an in-depth scan of the affected device and remove
any malware or suspicious files. I’d also check for any unusual logins or data access that may
indicate a broader breach. Finally, I’d reinforce training on phishing awareness to the employee
and their team, and assess if security tools like email filters or firewalls need to be strengthened
to prevent similar incidents in the future.

20. Describe how you would secure a web application.

To secure a web application, I’d begin by identifying potential vulnerabilities through a thorough
security assessment, including vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. I would ensure that
secure coding practices are followed, using frameworks that help prevent common vulnerabilities
such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).
Authentication and authorization would be tightly controlled, using secure methods like multi-
factor authentication and role-based access. Data protection would include encrypting sensitive
information both at rest and in transit. I’d also set up monitoring to detect and respond to
suspicious activity and maintain a regular patching schedule to address any security
vulnerabilities as soon as updates are available.

21. You notice unusual traffic on the network. What would be your steps to investigate?
If I notice unusual traffic on the network, I would start by analyzing network logs to determine
the origin, type, and destination of the traffic. I would use network monitoring tools to look for
signs of malicious activity, such as repeated connection attempts, traffic to unusual IP addresses,
or large data transfers that may indicate data exfiltration. Next, I would check firewall and
intrusion detection/prevention system (IDS/IPS) logs for any alerts or blocked activities that
align with the unusual traffic. If a threat is confirmed, I’d isolate the affected segment of the
network to prevent spread and gather evidence for a deeper forensic analysis, then take steps to
mitigate the attack and strengthen network defenses.
22. How would you secure an organization’s remote access?
To secure an organization’s remote access, I’d implement a multi-layered approach. This would
start with requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote users to prevent
unauthorized access. I’d use a virtual private network (VPN) or a zero-trust network access
(ZTNA) solution to ensure that only authorized users can connect to the internal network
securely. I would enforce strong password policies and limit remote access to only what is
necessary for each user’s role. Additionally, I’d ensure all remote devices comply with security
standards by implementing endpoint security tools that scan for malware and require regular
updates. Regularly reviewing and monitoring access logs for suspicious behavior is also crucial
for ongoing security.

Behavioral Questions

23. How do you prioritize your work when faced with multiple high-priority issues?
When I have multiple high-priority issues, I start by assessing each issue based on factors like its
potential impact, urgency, and the risks associated with delaying it. I consider the scope and
possible consequences if left unresolved and focus on issues that could compromise critical
assets or security first. I also communicate with team members and stakeholders to understand
any dependencies and adjust my priorities accordingly. If necessary, I break down larger tasks
into smaller, manageable steps to ensure progress and monitor deadlines to stay on track.

24. How do you stay updated on cybersecurity trends and new technologies?
I stay updated by actively engaging with cybersecurity communities and industry resources. I
follow credible sources, including industry blogs, podcasts, and publications like Cybersecurity
Insiders and the SANS Institute. Additionally, I take online courses, participate in cybersecurity
workshops, and am a member of several cybersecurity forums where I can discuss new threats
and technologies. Continuous learning is essential in cybersecurity, so I frequently practice on
platforms like TryHackMe and Hack The Box to stay current with new tools and techniques.

25. How would you handle a situation where you disagree with your supervisor about a
security decision?
If I disagreed with my supervisor on a security decision, I would start by understanding their
perspective to ensure I fully grasp the reasoning behind their decision. Then, I would present my
view clearly, backed by data or examples that support my reasoning, focusing on the potential
risks or benefits to the organization. My approach would be to keep the discussion objective and
solution-oriented, aiming for a collaborative decision. If they still decide to proceed differently, I
would respect their choice and do my best to implement the decision, keeping the overall
security goals of the organization in mind

Nmap (Network Mapper)

26. What is Nmap?

Nmap is a network scanning tool that helps identify open ports, services, and operating systems
on a network.

->Nmap (Network Mapper) is a network scanner created by Gordon Lyon. As a network

exploration and security auditing tool, Nmap identifies hosts and services on a network and
security issues. It sends packets to target hosts and analyze responses.

& How does Nmap work?

Nmap uses IP packets to identify devices connected to a network and provide information on the
services and operating systems they are running.

27.What is the most common type of Nmap scan?

The most common type of Nmap scan is the Nmap ping scan, which is used to detect hosts on a
network

28. What are the characteristics of Nmap?

The Nmap characteristics include:
• Host discovery
• Scan techniques
 • Port specification and scan order
• Service or version detection
• Script scan
• OS detection
• Timing and performance
• Evasion and spoofing
• Output
• Target specification

29. How do you write the ping scan command in Nmap?

$nmap -sn <target>

30. Write Nmap command to scan a target from a file.

$nmap -iL <target-file>

31. Why do we need Nmap tool?

Nmap is a powerful tool for various tasks, including network exploration, security auditing, and
troubleshooting. It is unique in its ability to scan large networks quickly and efficiently.
Moreover, Nmap can identify hosts and services on a network and determine which ports are
open on a given host.

32. Explain OS fingerprinting.

OS fingerprinting identifies what operating system is running on a given host based on analysing
the host’s responses to various network probes. This can be done manually by looking at the
answers and identifying patterns or automatically using a tool like Nmap to compare the
responses to a database of known operating systems.

33. How can Python be used to create a network sniffer, and what libraries are commonly used?
 Python can be used to create a network sniffer by leveraging libraries like Scapy and socket.
The socket library allows access to raw sockets for capturing packets at a low level, while Scapy
provides high-level packet manipulation, making it easier to dissect and analyze captured
network traffic. Together, these libraries enable Python scripts to capture packets, analyze
protocols, and inspect network activity for security monitoring or intrusion detection purposes.

34. What are some ethical considerations and legal limitations when using a network sniffer in
Python?

Network sniffing can be intrusive and raises legal and ethical concerns. In most regions, it’s
illegal to capture or intercept traffic without proper authorization, as it may violate privacy and
data protection laws. Ethical use of a Python network sniffer typically involves using it only
within the bounds of authorized testing environments, such as for security assessments,
penetration testing, or internal network monitoring with permission. Always obtain consent and
adhere to legal guidelines to ensure ethical usage.

35. What types of packets can be captured with a Python sniffer, and how can they be filtered?
A Python sniffer can capture various types of packets, including TCP, UDP, ICMP, and ARP
packets. Filtering can be done by setting specific conditions on packet attributes like IP address,
port number, or protocol type. Using Scapy, filters can be applied directly to capture only the
packets of interest. For example, setting a filter to capture only HTTP packets can help isolate
specific network traffic for analysis, which is useful for focusing on potential security issues.

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