Computer / Software Security - Quiz

Answer: b) Encryption

Explanation: Encryption is the process of converting plaintext into ciphertext to protect it from unauthorized access. Ciphertext is the scrambled text that can only be unscrambled by those who have the appropriate decryption key.

Answer: a) Brute force attack

Explanation: A brute force attack is a type of attack where an attacker tries to guess a user's password by trying multiple combinations until they find the correct one.

A comprehensive security requirements checklist is a viable alternative to hiring a human software security expert to prevent requirements-level threats. This checklist provides a structured approach to identifying and addressing security concerns at the requirements stage, ensuring that security considerations are incorporated early in the software development lifecycle. It can help ensure that the software meets security standards and mitigates common risks without needing a dedicated security expert for each project. Improved documentation, additional checkpoints, and spending more time on requirements elicitation may also contribute to better security practices but may not be as effective at specifically addressing requirements-level threats.

The distinction between software security and software safety is crucial for understanding their roles in system development. Software security primarily focuses on protecting the software and its data from unauthorized access, misuse, and cyberattacks. It includes measures such as encryption, authentication, and authorization to ensure that only authorized users can access or modify data. On the other hand, software safety focuses on ensuring that the software operates as intended without causing unintended harm or failure, especially in critical systems like healthcare, aerospace, or automotive. Safety measures are meant to ensure reliability and prevent accidents, whereas security measures protect against external threats.

AAFS (Armed Forces Flag Scheme) starts with TOAA (Token of Appreciation and Acknowledgment). This initiative was established to honor and support the families of armed forces personnel by providing financial assistance and other benefits. It reflects a nation’s gratitude towards those who serve and sacrifice for the country, fostering a sense of respect and care for their contributions. This scheme also aims to bridge the gap between the armed forces and the civilian population by promoting understanding and support for the armed forces' welfare.

The most advanced form of static analysis is performed by tools that use abstract syntax trees (ASTs). ASTs represent the syntactic structure of source code in a tree-like format, where each node denotes a construct in the code. This approach allows for deep analysis of the program's structure and logic, making it possible to detect complex coding errors, security vulnerabilities, and other issues that might not be easily identified by simpler methods. While search tools, manual inspection, and lexical analysis are important components of static analysis, AST-based analysis provides a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the code, offering advanced insights for detecting potential issues.

Privacy is a major software security concern when developing an IoT (Internet of Things) application because IoT devices often collect sensitive data about users, their environments, and behaviors. This data, if not properly secured, can lead to privacy breaches, exposing personal or confidential information. Securing privacy ensures that sensitive data is protected through encryption, access controls, and secure communication protocols. While other factors like connectivity, reusability, and modifiability are also important for IoT applications, privacy should be a top concern because IoT devices are often connected to networks and cloud systems, making them susceptible to data leaks and unauthorized access. Ensuring privacy safeguards helps maintain user trust and compliance with regulations.

The Application Security and Verification Standard (ASVS) is a standard developed and maintained by OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project). ASVS provides a framework of security requirements that focus on various aspects of application security, including authentication, authorization, session management, and data protection. It is a comprehensive guide for organizations and developers to assess the security of web applications and ensure they meet the necessary security standards. While (ISC)2, GIAC, and IEEE are well-known organizations in the cybersecurity and tech fields, ASVS is specifically associated with OWASP, a community-driven project aimed at improving application security globally.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) Article 35 addresses the requirement for Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA), which are crucial when implementing projects or systems that could impact individuals' privacy rights. One of the key aspects of complying with this article is ensuring that security measures are in place to protect personal data, and a critical part of this is tracking security bugs and applying necessary patches. This helps mitigate risks associated with the processing of personal data, reducing vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches. While the other options might be important for security and compliance, actively managing security issues and ensuring timely patches are applied is directly linked to GDPR compliance and data protection.

Nmap (Network Mapper) is a tool commonly used for vulnerability analysis as it helps in discovering hosts and services on a computer network, thereby identifying open ports, services, and potential security vulnerabilities in a system. Nmap's ability to scan networks and identify devices allows security professionals to assess the network's security posture and identify vulnerabilities. On the other hand, John the Ripper is a password cracking tool, Wireshark is primarily a network protocol analyzer, and Kali is a Linux distribution that includes various penetration testing tools, but it is not a tool itself for vulnerability analysis. While these tools can assist in penetration testing, Nmap is specifically designed for vulnerability analysis.