100 Cyber Security MCQs | Best MCQs
Table of Contents
I. Introduction to Cyber Security – 100 Cyber Security MCQs
A. What is Cyber Security?
Question 1: What is the primary goal of Cyber Security?
A. To create complex passwords.
B. To protect information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
C. To install antivirus software on all devices.
D. To monitor employee internet usage.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT one of the core principles of the CIA Triad?
A. Confidentiality
B. Integrity
C. Availability
D. Authenticity
Question 3: What is a cyber threat?
A. A weakness in a system that can be exploited.
B. A potential danger that can exploit a vulnerability to breach security and cause harm.
C. A type of antivirus software.
D. A secure method of data transmission.
Question 4: Why is Cyber Security important in today’s world?
A. Because everyone uses the internet.
B. Because cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, and can cause significant financial and reputational damage.
C. Because it’s a legal requirement for businesses.
D. Because it’s a good career choice.
B. Types of Cyber Attacks
Question 5: Which of the following is a type of malware?
A. Firewall
B. Ransomware
C. VPN
D. Encryption
Question 6: What is phishing?
A. A technique used to catch hackers.
B. A method of encrypting data.
C. A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity.
D. A type of network security protocol.
Question 7: Which type of attack aims to overwhelm a system or network, making it inaccessible to legitimate users?
A. Denial of Service (DoS) Attack
B. Phishing Attack
C. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack
D. SQL Injection Attack
Question 8: In a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack, the attacker:
A. Intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties without their knowledge.
B. Gains unauthorized access to a database.
C. Encrypts files and demands a ransom.
D. Sends malicious code to a website.
Question 9: Which of the following attacks targets websites by injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users?
A. SQL Injection
B. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
C. Zero-Day Attack
D. DDoS Attack
Question 10: What is a Zero-Day Attack?
A. An attack that occurs on the first day of the month.
B. An attack that exploits a previously unknown vulnerability.
C. An attack that targets zero-day vulnerabilities.
D. An attack that takes zero days to execute.
Question 11: Which of the following is NOT a common social engineering technique?
A. Phishing
B. Pretexting
C. Baiting
D. Encryption
Question 12: What is the main difference between a DoS and a DDoS attack?
A. A DoS attack uses a single source, while a DDoS attack uses multiple sources.
B. A DoS attack is more powerful than a DDoS attack.
C. A DoS attack targets websites, while a DDoS attack targets networks.
D. There is no difference between a DoS and a DDoS attack.
II. Cyber Security Fundamentals – 100 Cyber Security MCQs
A. Cryptography
Question 13: What is the primary purpose of cryptography?
A. To make data transmission faster
B. To protect data confidentiality and integrity
C. To compress data for storage
D. To create complex passwords
Question 14: Which type of encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption?
A. Symmetric encryption
B. Asymmetric encryption
C. Hash function
D. Digital signature
Question 15: What is the role of a hash function in cryptography?
A. To encrypt data
B. To decrypt data
C. To create a unique fingerprint of data
D. To generate random numbers
Question 16: What is the main advantage of asymmetric encryption over symmetric encryption?
A. It is faster
B. It is easier to implement
C. It provides a secure way to exchange keys
D. It requires less computational power
Question 17: What is the purpose of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)?
A. To manage and distribute digital certificates
B. To encrypt data
C. To decrypt data
D. To create hash functions
B. Network Security
Question 18: What is the function of a firewall?
A. To prevent unauthorized access to a network
B. To encrypt data
C. To detect viruses
D. To backup data
Question 19: Which of the following is NOT a type of Intrusion Detection/Prevention System (IDS/IPS)?
A. Network-based IDS/IPS
B. Host-based IDS/IPS
C. Signature-based IDS/IPS
D. Firewall-based IDS/IPS
Question 20: What is the main purpose of a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
A. To create a secure connection over a public network
B. To encrypt data
C. To detect viruses
D. To backup data
Question 21: What do SSL and TLS stand for?
A. Secure Socket Layer and Transport Layer Security
B. System Security Layer and Transmission Layer Security
C. Secure System Layer and Transport Layer Security
D. System Socket Layer and Transmission Layer Security
Question 22: What is the purpose of network segmentation?
A. To divide a network into smaller, isolated segments to improve security and performance
B. To encrypt data
C. To detect viruses
D. To backup data
C. Operating System Security
Question 23: What does it mean to harden an operating system?
A. To make it physically stronger
B. To configure it securely by disabling unnecessary services, applying updates, and implementing strong access controls
C. To encrypt the entire operating system
D. To install antivirus software
Question 24: Why is patch management important?
A. To keep software up-to-date and address security vulnerabilities
B. To improve system performance
C. To add new features to software
D. To customize the look and feel of the operating system
Question 25: Which of the following is NOT a best practice for user account management?
A. Using strong passwords
B. Implementing multi-factor authentication
C. Sharing passwords with colleagues
D. Regularly reviewing and revoking unnecessary access privileges
Question 26: What is the purpose of secure configuration?
A. To ensure that systems and applications are configured in accordance with security best practices
B. To encrypt data
C. To detect viruses
D. To backup data
Question 27: Why is logging important in operating system security?
A. To track user activity and identify potential security incidents
B. To improve system performance
C. To store sensitive data
D. To customize the look and feel of the operating system
Question 28: Which of the following is a common vulnerability in operating systems?
A. Buffer overflow
B. SQL injection
C. Phishing
D. DDoS attack
Question 29: What is the principle of least privilege?
A. Granting users only the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions
B. Giving everyone administrative access
C. Disabling all user accounts
D. Allowing users to install any software they want
Question 30: Which of the following is NOT a benefit of operating system hardening?
A. Reduced attack surface
B. Improved system performance
C. Increased complexity
D. Enhanced security posture
III. Cyber Security Technologies and Tools – 100 Cyber Security MCQs
A. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Question 31: What is the primary function of a SIEM system?
A. To collect, store, and analyze security logs from various sources
B. To encrypt data
C. To detect viruses
D. To backup data
Question 32: Which of the following is NOT a component of SIEM?
A. Log collection
B. Log analysis
C. Threat intelligence
D. Data encryption
Question 33: How does SIEM help in incident response?
A. By providing real-time alerts and enabling faster identification and containment of security incidents
B. By encrypting data
C. By detecting viruses
D. By backing up data
B. Vulnerability Scanners and Penetration Testing
Question 34: What is the purpose of a vulnerability scanner?
A. To identify weaknesses in systems and applications
B. To encrypt data
C. To detect viruses
D. To backup data
Question 35: What is the difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test?
A. A vulnerability scan only identifies vulnerabilities, while a penetration test attempts to exploit them
B. A vulnerability scan is more expensive than a penetration test
C. A vulnerability scan is performed manually, while a penetration test is automated
D. There is no difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test
Question 36: Which of the following is NOT a phase of penetration testing?
A. Planning and reconnaissance
B. Scanning
C. Exploitation
D. Patch management
Question 37: What is the role of ethical hackers in penetration testing?
A. To simulate real-world attacks and identify vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them
B. To steal data
C. To install malware
D. To disrupt services
C. Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software
Question 38: How does signature-based detection work in antivirus software?
A. It compares files against a database of known malware signatures
B. It analyzes file behavior to detect suspicious activity
C. It uses artificial intelligence to predict malware
D. It relies on user input to identify malware
Question 39: What is heuristic detection in antivirus software?
A. It analyzes file behavior to detect suspicious activity that may indicate malware, even if it doesn’t match a known signature
B. It compares files against a database of known malware signatures
C. It uses artificial intelligence to predict malware
D. It relies on user input to identify malware
Question 40: What is the purpose of real-time protection in antivirus software?
A. To continuously monitor system activity and block threats as they occur
B. To scan files only when requested by the user
C. To backup data
D. To encrypt data
Question 41: What is endpoint security?
A. Security measures implemented on individual devices, such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices, to protect them from threats
B. Security measures implemented on network devices
C. Security measures implemented on cloud servers
D. Security measures implemented on databases
Question 42: What is the main goal of Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?
A. To prevent sensitive data from being lost or leaked
B. To encrypt data
C. To detect viruses
D. To backup data
Question 43: Which of the following is NOT a common feature of antivirus and anti-malware software?
A. Real-time protection
B. Scheduled scans
C. Firewall
D. Heuristic detection
Question 44: What is a false positive in antivirus scanning?
A. When a legitimate file is incorrectly identified as malware
B. When malware is not detected
C. When a virus is successfully removed
D. When a scan is completed without any issues
Question 45: Why is it important to keep antivirus software up-to-date?
A. To ensure it has the latest malware definitions and can detect new threats
B. To improve system performance
C. To add new features
D. To customize the look and feel of the software
IV. Cyber Security Risk Management – 100 Cyber Security MCQs
A. Risk Assessment and Analysis
Question 46: What is the first step in risk assessment?
A. Identifying assets and threats
B. Estimating vulnerabilities
C. Calculating risk
D. Implementing security controls
Question 47: What is a vulnerability?
A. A weakness in a system that can be exploited by a threat
B. A type of malware
C. A security control
D. A risk mitigation strategy
Question 48: How is risk calculated?
A. Risk = Threat x Vulnerability x Impact
B. Risk = Threat + Vulnerability + Impact
C. Risk = Threat / Vulnerability / Impact
D. Risk = Threat – Vulnerability – Impact
B. Risk Mitigation and Control
Question 49: What is the purpose of security controls?
A. To reduce or eliminate risks
B. To increase risks
C. To identify risks
D. To assess risks
Question 50: Which of the following is NOT a type of security control?
A. Administrative
B. Technical
C. Physical
D. Environmental
Question 51: Why is security awareness training important?
A. To educate users about security best practices and help them recognize and avoid threats
B. To improve system performance
C. To install antivirus software
D. To backup data
C. Incident Response and Management
Question 52: What is the first step in incident response?
A. Identification
B. Containment
C. Eradication
D. Recovery
Question 53: What is the purpose of containment in incident response?
A. To limit the spread of an incident and prevent further damage
B. To identify the root cause of an incident
C. To restore systems to their normal state
D. To learn from the incident and improve future response
Question 54: What is eradication in incident response?
A. The process of removing the cause of an incident and restoring systems to their normal state
B. Identifying the root cause of an incident
C. Containing the spread of an incident
D. Learning from the incident and improving future response
Question 55: What is the purpose of recovery in incident response?
A. To restore systems and data to their pre-incident state
B. To identify the root cause of an incident
C. To contain the spread of an incident
D. To learn from the incident and improve future response
Question 56: Why are lessons learned important in incident response?
A. To identify areas for improvement and enhance future response capabilities
B. To assign blame for the incident
C. To document the incident for legal purposes
D. To punish those responsible for the incident
Question 57: Which of the following is NOT a common incident response team role?
A. Incident Manager
B. Technical Lead
C. Public Relations Officer
D. Sales Representative
V. Emerging Trends in Cyber Security – 100 Cyber Security MCQs
A. Cloud Security
Question 58: What is the Shared Responsibility Model in cloud security?
A. A framework that defines the security responsibilities of the cloud provider and the cloud customer
B. A type of cloud architecture
C. A data encryption method
D. A cloud security certification
Question 59: Which of the following is a key security concern in cloud computing?
A. Data breaches
B. Loss of control over data
C. Misconfigurations
D. All of the above
Question 60: How can data be protected in the cloud?
A. Encryption
B. Access controls
C. Data loss prevention (DLP) solutions
D. All of the above
B. Internet of Things (IoT) Security
Question 61: What is a major security challenge in IoT devices?
A. Lack of built-in security features
B. Weak passwords
C. Insecure communication protocols
D. All of the above
Question 62: How can IoT devices be authenticated?
A. Strong passwords
B. Certificates
C. Biometrics
D. All of the above
Question 63: Why is vulnerability management important for IoT security?
A. To identify and address security weaknesses in IoT devices
B. To improve device performance
C. To add new features to devices
D. To track device usage
C. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Cyber Security
Question 64: How can AI and ML be used in threat detection?
A. To analyze large volumes of data and identify patterns indicative of malicious activity
B. To encrypt data
C. To create firewalls
D. To backup data
Question 65: What is anomaly detection in Cyber Security?
A. The process of identifying unusual or unexpected behavior that may indicate a security threat
B. The process of encrypting data
C. The process of creating firewalls
D. The process of backing up data
Question 66: How can AI and ML be used in incident response?
A. To automate certain tasks, such as triage and initial investigation
B. To replace human analysts
C. To create new vulnerabilities
D. To write incident reports
Question 67: Which of the following is a potential benefit of using AI and ML in Cyber Security?
A. Improved threat detection and response
B. Increased efficiency
C. Reduced costs
D. All of the above
Question 68: What is a potential challenge of using AI and ML in Cyber Security?
A. Adversarial attacks
B. Bias in algorithms
C. Lack of explainability
D. All of the above
Question 69: What is an adversarial attack in the context of AI and ML?
A. An attempt to deceive or manipulate an AI/ML model by providing it with malicious input
B. A type of malware
C. A network attack
D. A physical attack
Question 70: How can bias in AI and ML algorithms impact Cyber Security?
A. It can lead to inaccurate or discriminatory results, potentially missing threats or generating false positives.
B. It can improve threat detection
C. It has no impact on Cyber Security
D. It can make AI/ML systems more secure
Question 71: What is the “black box” problem in AI and ML?
A. The difficulty in understanding how an AI/ML model arrives at its decisions
B. The inability of AI/ML models to detect new threats
C. The high cost of implementing AI/ML solutions
D. The lack of available AI/ML talent
Question 72: Which of the following is an example of AI and ML being used in Cyber Security?
A. Spam filters
B. Fraud detection systems
C. Behavioral analytics
D. All of the above
VI. Cyber Laws and Ethics – 100 Cyber Security MCQs
A. Cyber Laws and Regulations
Question 73: What is the purpose of data protection and privacy laws?
A. To safeguard individuals’ personal information and control how it is collected, used, and shared
B. To protect intellectual property
C. To prevent cybercrime
D. To regulate the use of the internet
Question 74: Which of the following is an example of a cybercrime?
A. Hacking
B. Identity theft
C. Online fraud
D. All of the above
Question 75: What do intellectual property and copyright laws protect?
A. Original creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols
B. Personal information
C. Computer systems
D. Network infrastructure
B. Ethical Hacking and Responsible Disclosure
Question 76: What is ethical hacking?
A. The practice of testing a system or network for vulnerabilities with the owner’s permission
B. Hacking without permission
C. Stealing data
D. Disrupting services
Question 77: What is responsible disclosure?
A. The process of reporting vulnerabilities to the affected organization in a responsible manner, allowing them time to fix the issue before making it public
B. Publicly disclosing vulnerabilities without notifying the organization
C. Exploiting vulnerabilities for personal gain
D. Ignoring vulnerabilities
Question 78: What is a bug bounty program?
A. A program that rewards individuals for discovering and reporting vulnerabilities to an organization
B. A program that teaches people how to hack
C. A program that sells exploits
D. A program that tracks cyber criminals
C. Social and Ethical Implications of Cyber Security
Question 79: Which of the following is a privacy concern related to Cyber Security?
A. Surveillance
B. Data collection
C. Identity theft
D. All of the above
Question 80: How can cyber attacks impact individuals?
A. Financial loss
B. Identity theft
C. Emotional distress
D. All of the above
Question 81: How can cyber attacks impact society?
A. Disruption of critical infrastructure
B. Economic damage
C. Loss of trust in institutions
D. All of the above
Question 82: Which of the following is an ethical consideration in Cyber Security research and development?
A. The potential for dual-use technologies
B. The impact on privacy
C. The responsibility to protect users
D. All of the above
Question 83: What is the digital divide?
A. The gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not
B. The gap between hackers and security professionals
C. The gap between different types of cyber attacks
D. The gap between different security technologies
Question 84: How can Cyber Security contribute to social inequality?
A. By limiting access to information and opportunities for those without adequate security measures
B. By creating new job opportunities
C. By promoting innovation
D. By protecting privacy
Question 85: What is the role of ethics in Cyber Security?
A. To guide decision-making and ensure responsible behavior
B. To create laws and regulations
C. To develop new technologies
D. To punish cyber criminals
Question 86: Which of the following is an example of an ethical dilemma in Cyber Security?
A. Balancing privacy and security
B. Deciding whether to disclose a vulnerability
C. Choosing between different security solutions
D. All of the above
Question 87: What is the importance of transparency in Cyber Security?
A. To build trust and enable informed decision-making
B. To hide information from users
C. To make systems more complex
D. To increase profits
Question 88: How can Cyber Security impact human rights?
A. By enabling surveillance and censorship
B. By protecting freedom of expression and access to information
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Question 89: What is the role of international cooperation in Cyber Security?
A. To address global threats and promote shared responsibility
B. To create competition between countries
C. To isolate countries
D. To regulate the internet
Question 90: How can individuals contribute to Cyber Security?
A. By practicing good cyber hygiene
B. By reporting suspicious activity
C. By staying informed about security threats
D. All of the above
Question 91: What is the potential impact of Cyber Security on the future of work?
A. Automation and job displacement
B. Increased demand for Cyber Security professionals
C. New opportunities for remote work
D. All of the above
Question 92: How can Cyber Security affect national security?
A. By protecting critical infrastructure
B. By defending against cyber espionage and warfare
C. By safeguarding sensitive information
D. All of the above
Question 93: What is the role of education in Cyber Security?
A. To develop the next generation of Cyber Security professionals
B. To raise awareness about security risks
C. To promote ethical behavior
D. All of the above
Question 94: What is the impact of Cyber Security on economic development?
A. It can enable innovation and growth
B. It can protect businesses and financial systems
C. It can attract investment
D. All of the above
Question 95: How can Cyber Security impact international relations?
A. Cyber attacks can strain relations between countries
B. Cyber Security cooperation can build trust and collaboration
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Question 96: What is the role of Cyber Security in protecting democracy?
A. To safeguard elections and prevent interference
B. To protect freedom of speech and access to information
C. To combat disinformation and propaganda
D. All of the above
Question 97: How can Cyber Security impact the environment?
A. By reducing energy consumption through efficient IT practices
B. By protecting critical infrastructure that supports environmental sustainability
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Question 98: What is the role of Cyber Security in healthcare?
A. To protect patient data and ensure privacy
B. To secure medical devices and systems
C. To prevent cyber attacks on healthcare facilities
D. All of the above
Question 99: How can Cyber Security impact education?
A. By protecting student data and ensuring privacy
B. By enabling online learning and collaboration
C. By preventing cyber attacks on educational institutions
D. All of the above
Question 100: What is the future of Cyber Security?
A. It will continue to evolve and adapt to new threats and technologies.
B. It will become less important as technology advances.
C. It will be replaced by artificial intelligence.
D. It will become obsolete.
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Cyber Security Important Questions and Answers
What is Cyber Security and its importance?
Cyber Security protects information and systems from unauthorized access. It’s crucial due to the rising sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks.
Common cyber-attacks to be aware of:
Malware, phishing, DoS attacks, and MitM attacks. Stay vigilant and recognize their signs.
What is cryptography and its role in Cyber Security?
Cryptography secures communication and data via encryption. It ensures confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of information.
Key components of network security:
Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and secure protocols (SSL/TLS) work together to protect networks.
How to improve operating system security?
Harden your OS: disable unnecessary services, apply updates, use strong passwords, and implement least privilege.
Role of SIEM in Cyber Security:
SIEM collects, stores, and analyzes security logs for real-time alerts and faster incident response.
Vulnerability scanning vs. penetration testing:
Vulnerability scanning finds weaknesses, while penetration testing actively tries to exploit them.
How antivirus/anti-malware software protects:
It uses signature-based and heuristic detection to identify and block malware. Real-time protection and scans offer continuous defense.
Key steps in Cyber Security risk management:
Assess and analyze risks, implement security controls, and establish incident response procedures.
Emerging trends in Cyber Security:
Cloud security, IoT security, and the use of AI and ML in Cyber Security. Stay informed to adapt to new threats.