File Protection & Online Services

Anti-virus software uses a pattern that can be compared to programs on your hard disk to identify viruses. What is this known as?

• Heuristic Detection

• Firewall Detection

• Finger-Print Detection

• Signature Detection

In anti-virus terms, what is real-time protection?

• On access scanning of all files opened.

• Full scans initiated on demand

• Scheduled scans that run at a set time of the day

• Heuristic scans that detect certain virus behaviour.

Answer explanation

Real-time protection is the name commonly used for on access scanning of all files opened, including documents & programs

Which of the following are disadvantages of using anti-virus software?

• It only detects viruses, not other types of malware

• It must be regularly maintained and updated

• Productivity can be impaired due to program blocking.

• It can slow down PC and network performance

Answer explanation

Anti-virus software must be regularly maintained and updated for the latest viruses and it can slow down PC and network performance. It can also lead to complacency but doesn’t offer total protection.

Firewalls monitor network traffic and blocks any traffic that it deems suspicious. However what is the major technique it uses for doing this?

• Firewall Filtering

• Heuristic Filtering

• Packet Filtering

• Signature Filtering

Answer explanation

Packet filtering is where the firewall inspects each packet of data and compares it to pre-defined security rules (known as the firewall policy, or ruleset). If the packet is flagged by the rules then it is prevented from passing through the firewall.

Which of the following are disadvantages of using hardware firewalls?

• It must be regularly maintained and updated with the latest definitions

• It can diminish the performance of the network, particularly if poorly configured.

• It can diminish the performance of the PC, particularly if poorly configured.

• They cannot prevent internal attacks from within the network

Answer explanation

Firewalls can diminish the performance of the network and it cannot prevent internal attacks from within the network. Hardware firewalls won’t affect PC performance (though software firewalls can have some impact).

What type of encryption is used for data during transmission?

• Symmetric Encryption

• Asymmetric Encryption

• Private-Key Encryption

• Firewall Encryption

Answer explanation

We encrypt data in transit using asymmetric encryption. This is commonly known as public-key encryption. With asymmetric encryption we use different keys to encrypt and decrypt the data

Which of the following are disadvantages of symmetric encryption?

• If you lose the encryption key then you will never be able to decrypt your data.

• It has a major impact on computer processing power, causing the device to crash.

• It requires a different key to encrypt and decrypt the data.

• It can only use 32-bit encryption keys which are easy to crack.

Answer explanation

If you lose the encryption key then you will never be able to decrypt your data. Also, the sharing of the encryption key can compromise security as the key could be intercepted

Where would a server’s public key be found?

• Their symmetric certificate

• Their asymmetric certificate

• Their digital certificate.

• You can't, it is kept private.

Answer explanation

The digital certificate for a server authenticates them to use public-key encryption and will contain their public-key for you to use to encrypt data sent to them

A retailer is thinking of setting up a website to sell its products. What would be a benefit of this to customers?

• They have a much wider range of choice.

• The business can sell to a world wide audience.

• It is more secure than high street shopping.

• They can do their shopping when and where it suits them.

Answer explanation

Online retail websites give customers a wider range of choice and allow them to shop when and where it suits them. It also makes it easier for customers to find what they want. While it is a benefit that the business can sell to a world wide audience, this is not a benefit for customers.

The retailer would like to train some of its employees to maintain the new website. What would be a benefit of using online education & training for this?

• Employees can learn in their own time, wherever they want, fitting it around their other commitments.

• Learners must be self-motivated as the responsibility for completing the course is on them.

• Online courses are always better than studying in a classroom.

• Online courses are almost always fully accredited and will contribute towards a qualification.