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Free CompTIA CySA+ CS0-003 Practice Test
Prepare for the CompTIA CySA+ CS0-003 exam with this free practice test. Randomly generated and customizable, this test allows you to choose the number of questions.
- Questions: 15
- Time: 15 minutes (60 seconds per question)
- Included Objectives:Security OperationsVulnerability ManagementIncident Response and ManagementReporting and Communication
During a routine audit, a security analyst notices a consistent and unexpected increase in resource usage on a typically low activity file server. This elevation does not align with any authorized system updates or user operations. What is the MOST probable explanation for this observation?
The server’s cooling system is malfunctioning, resulting in performance inconsistencies.
A recent application misconfiguration is causing known processes to utilize more resources than usual.
Routine software updates are pending, causing a temporary rise in system resource demand.
The system may be compromised by unauthorized software performing resource-intensive operations.
Answer Description
A common symptom of a compromised system is the unauthorized use of system resources, like processing power. This can happen when malicious software, such as a Trojan or a crypto-miner, is clandestinely running on the machine. Considering that the increase in resource usage is unexpected and doesn't align with known tasks or user behavior, it suggests the possibility of malicious activity. In contrast, an application misconfiguration would typically be tied to a recent software change. A malfunctioning cooling system would likely lead to overheating, which could consequently throttle processing capabilities, rather than increase resource utilization. Similarly, pending updates might increase resource use temporarily, but this would be anticipated behavior correlated with the update process.
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What types of unauthorized software might be running on a compromised system?
How can I detect if a file server is compromised and what steps should I take?
What preventive measures can be taken to secure a file server from unauthorized access?
When performing a vulnerability scan on an environment that contains sensitive operational technology, such as an industrial control system, what type of scanning is recommended to minimize potential disruptions?
Full port scanning
Active scanning
Compliance scanning
Passive scanning
Answer Description
Passive scanning is recommended for environments with industrial control systems because it is less intrusive and reduces the risk of disrupting the sensitive systems that often operate with precise timing and control. Active scanning, on the other hand, could potentially interrupt ICS operations due to the probing and test traffic it generates.
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What is passive scanning and how does it differ from active scanning?
Why are traditional vulnerability scanning methods problematic for operational technology?
What tools are commonly used for passive scanning?
Which technique is used to divide a network into smaller, isolated sections for enhanced security?
Fingerprinting
Credentialed Scanning
Segmentation
Map Scanning
Answer Description
Segmentation involves dividing a network into smaller parts, each isolated from the others. This helps in controlling access, limiting the spread of potential breaches, and managing network traffic more effectively.
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What are the benefits of network segmentation?
How does segmentation differ from other security methods?
What are some common strategies for implementing network segmentation?
During a routine vulnerability assessment, it is discovered that a financial application critical to year-end reporting contains a vulnerability that, if exploited, could compromise sensitive financial data. The patch for this vulnerability would necessitate multiple service interruptions over a week. With year-end financial processes pending, which recommendation should the cybersecurity analyst prioritize in the action plan to ensure the least disruption while maintaining security?
Implement compensating controls and defer patching until after the year-end processing, minimizing disruption to business operations.
Leave the system unpatched and accept the risk because year-end reporting is considered a higher priority.
Proceed with repatching during the year-end processing period due to the critical nature of the vulnerability.
Increase logging and monitoring around the financial application but do not apply the patch or any compensating controls until an assessment post year-end is conducted.
Answer Description
The correct answer is to implement compensating controls and defer patching until after the year-end processing is complete. This option provides an immediate and additional layer of security to mitigate the risk temporarily without disrupting the critical financial processes due to service interruptions. Other choices do not offer the same balance between security needs and business continuity, as they either introduce significant risk (leaving the system unpatched), potentially cause unacceptable business interruptions (repatching during the year-end processing), or do not respond directly to the vulnerability (increasing logging and monitoring only).
Ask Bash
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What are compensating controls in cybersecurity?
Why is it important to manage business continuity alongside security?
What are some standard practices for conducting a vulnerability assessment?
Which type of tool is commonly used to capture and analyze network traffic for detecting security incidents?
Password cracker
Firewalls
Vulnerability scanner
Packet analyzer
Answer Description
A packet analyzer, also known as a network analyzer, is a tool designed to capture, filter, and analyze network traffic in real-time. It helps in detecting and diagnosing network issues, including security incidents.
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What is a packet analyzer and how does it work?
What are some popular packet analyzer tools?
How does a packet analyzer help with security incidents?
A cybersecurity team tracks the mean time to detect (MTTD) as one of their key performance indicators (KPIs). What does a decrease in the MTTD over time indicate about the team's performance?
The team's overall mean time to remediate incidents has increased.
The team is responding to security incidents faster.
The team is identifying security incidents more quickly.
The team is experiencing fewer security alerts.
Answer Description
A decrease in the Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) indicates that the team is becoming more efficient at identifying security incidents. Mean Time to Detect measures the average time it takes to become aware of an incident after it has occurred. Improvements in this metric suggest that detection tools, processes, and monitoring are becoming better integrated and more effective. While increasing mean time to respond (MTTR) or alert volume are important, they do not provide direct insight into detection efficiency.
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What are some common methods used to improve MTTD?
What is the difference between MTTD and MTTR?
How can we effectively track and analyze MTTD?
During an incident response operation, a compromised server needs to be restored to a trusted state. Describe the proper action to re-image the server effectively.
Run a comprehensive antivirus program to clean the malware and then update security patches.
Perform a system restore from the compromised server's own backup files.
Install the latest operating system patches and restore system settings from a recent backup.
Erase the current system and install a pre-configured, verified clean image
Answer Description
The correct action in re-imaging a compromised server is to replace its current system image with a clean, known-good image. This involves erasing the current system to remove any potential malware or unauthorized changes and then installing a pre-configured image that is verified to be secure. Failing to use a clean image or not verifying the image can allow threats to persist. Pulling backups from the potentially compromised server or running standard antivirus software alone is insufficient.
Ask Bash
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What is a pre-configured, verified clean image?
Why is erasing the current system important before re-imaging?
What are the risks of using backup files from a compromised server?
A security analyst notices repeated communication attempts to an external IP address from several internal hosts at regular intervals. This behavior is most likely indicative of which type of malicious activity?
Privilege escalation
Data exfiltration
Beaconing
Malicious processes
Answer Description
The observed regular intervals of communication attempts suggest 'beaconing.' Beaconing is a technique used by malware to communicate with a command and control server at specific intervals to receive instructions or exfiltrate data. Other similar activities like 'data exfiltration,' involve the unauthorized transfer of data out of the network but do not necessarily involve regular communication, and 'privilege escalation' involves gaining higher access levels within a system, unrelated to the observed behavior.
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What is beaconing in cybersecurity?
How can organizations detect beaconing activities?
What are command and control servers?
What could signal a potential security threat within an organization's network when monitoring user account activity?
The sudden creation of multiple new user accounts outside normal business hours
The routine creation of new user accounts following HR onboarding procedures
The updating of existing user account passwords in accordance with company policy
The removal of user accounts for employees who have left the company
Answer Description
The sudden creation of multiple new user accounts could be indicative of a compromised system where an attacker may be setting up accounts for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network. Regular account creation as part of business operations is usually periodic and follows a predictable pattern, making the unexpected creation of many new accounts an anomaly and possible sign of unauthorized activity.
Ask Bash
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Why is the sudden creation of multiple new user accounts considered a security threat?
What are typical signs of normal user account activity?
How can organizations monitor user account activity effectively?
Which type of control is responsible for actions taken to mitigate the impact of a security incident after it has been detected?
Preventative
Detective
Corrective
Responsive
Answer Description
Corrective controls are mechanisms put in place to mitigate and correct the impact of a security incident after it has been detected. They differ from responsive controls, which are activated during an incident to limit immediate damage, preventive controls meant to stop incidents before they occur, and detective controls which are used for identifying incidents.
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What are some examples of corrective controls?
How do corrective controls differ from preventive and detective controls?
What role do incident response plans play in corrective controls?
Which of the following best describes a proprietary system as an inhibitor to remediation?
A system that is outdated but still used within the organization
A system with open-source code accessible to the public
A system whose internal design is controlled by a single organization and not publicly disclosed
A system designed specifically for public sector use
Answer Description
A proprietary system is one that is owned by a specific company or entity, and its internal design and functionality are typically not disclosed to the public. This can make it challenging to implement patches or updates without specific vendor support, leading to delays in remediation.
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What does proprietary system mean?
Why is vendor support important for proprietary systems?
How do proprietary systems compare with open-source systems?
When referring to vulnerability management metrics, what does the 'Top 10' indicator typically represent?
The 10 most recent security patches released by software vendors
A list of the 10 most recently hired cybersecurity employees in an organization
The most critical vulnerabilities identified in an environment that should be addressed as a priority
The 10 longest unresolved vulnerabilities within a system
Answer Description
The 'Top 10' in vulnerability management metrics generally represents the most critical vulnerabilities discovered during a given assessment period. This list is vital for prioritization, allowing organizations to address the most severe risks first to reduce the potential for exploitation. Other options, although related to the field, do not accurately describe the 'Top 10' indicator.
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What criteria are used to determine the 'Top 10' vulnerabilities?
How often should organizations update their 'Top 10' vulnerability list?
What happens if organizations ignore the vulnerabilities listed in the 'Top 10'?
When performing log analysis after detecting a potential security incident, what is the primary purpose of correlating time stamps across diverse systems and devices?
To determine when to re-image affected systems
To construct an accurate timeline of events
To enforce legal hold across the enterprise
To streamline the process of recovery and remediation
Answer Description
Correlating time stamps across multiple systems and devices enables an analyst to construct a timeline of events, which is essential for understanding the sequence in which the incident occurred. This timeline can be compared against the known behavior of security threats to identify patterns and potential points of entry or areas of impact. This question tests knowledge of log analysis techniques. Other options, while potentially useful in other contexts, do not focus on the primary purpose of time stamp correlation in incident investigation.
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Why is constructing an accurate timeline of events important in log analysis?
What are some common tools used for log analysis in security incidents?
How do security analysts determine patterns and potential points of entry based on log analysis?
A recent vulnerability scan has identified a critical vulnerability in your company's web application that must be mitigated. The organization's policy prioritizes quick fixes to reduce immediate risk. Which of the following actions most effectively aligns with this policy?
Implement a temporary web application firewall (WAF) rule to block malicious traffic.
Contact the vendor for a permanent solution.
Disable the affected feature of the web application.
Update the application to the latest version.
Answer Description
The best action is to implement a temporary web application firewall (WAF) rule to block traffic associated with the vulnerability. This provides an immediate layer of protection while a permanent fix is developed. Updating the application is a long-term solution but doesn't align with the policy of immediate risk reduction. Disabling the affected feature might reduce risk but can disrupt business operations significantly. Contacting the vendor is a valid action but may not provide an immediate fix.
Ask Bash
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What is a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?
What are common web application vulnerabilities?
Why is it sometimes better to implement short-term fixes than long-term updates?
A company has identified a critical vulnerability in its financial reporting system, which relies on a decade-old proprietary software. Patching the system would likely result in downtime and potential business process interruptions. Which inhibitor to remediation is most relevant in this scenario?
Service-level agreement (SLA)
Memorandum of understanding (MOU)
Business process interruption
Organizational governance
Answer Description
The relevant inhibitor to remediation here is 'Business process interruption,' as patching the critical vulnerability could lead to disruptions in the financial reporting process. This is a significant concern for businesses relying on continuous operation. Other inhibitors such as legacy systems and organizational governance might also be factors, but the primary concern in this context is the potential interruption of critical business processes.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What does 'business process interruption' mean in this context?
Why is legacy software a concern when it comes to vulnerabilities?
What are the implications of service-level agreements (SLA) on remediation efforts?
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