212-82 Exam Dumps - Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT)

Cold backup is the backup technique utilized by Ryleigh in the above scenario. Cold backup is a backup technique that involves taking a full backup of data when the system or database is offline or shut down. Cold backup ensures that the data is consistent and not corrupted by any ongoing transactions or operations. Cold backup is usually performed on a fixed date or time when the service-level downtime is allowed or scheduled . Nearline backup is a backup technique that involves storing data on a medium that is not immediately accessible, but can be retrieved within a short time. Hot backup is a backup technique that involves taking a backup of data while the system or database is online or running. Warm backup is a backup technique that involves taking a backup of data while the system or database is partially online or running. 

Permissive policy is the type of Internet access policy implemented by George in this scenario. An Internet access policy is a policy that defines the rules and guidelines for accessing the Internet from a system or network. An Internet access policy can be based on various factors, such as security, productivity, bandwidth, etc. An Internet access policy can have different types based on its level of restriction or control. A permissive policy is a type of Internet access policy that allows users to access any site, download any application, and access any computer or network without any restrictions. A permissive policy can be used to provide maximum flexibility and freedom to users, but it can also pose significant security risks and challenges. In the scenario, George implemented an Internet access policy that allowed employees working from a remote location to access any site, download any application, and access any computer or network without any restrictions. This means that he implemented a permissive policy for those employees. A paranoid policy is a type of Internet access policy that blocks or denies all Internet access by default and only allows specific sites, applications, or computers that are explicitly authorized. A prudent policy is a type of Internet access policy that allows most Internet access but blocks or restricts some sites, applications, or computers that are deemed inappropriate, malicious, or unnecessary. A promiscuous policy is not a type of Internet access policy, but a term that describes a network mode that allows a network interface card (NIC) to capture all packets on a network segment, regardless of their destination address. 

Content-based signature analysis is the type of attack signature analysis performed by Anderson in the above scenario. Content-based signature analysis is a technique that analyzes packet header fields such as IP options, IP protocols, IP fragmentation flags, offset, and identification to check whether any fields are altered in transit. Content-based signature analysis can help detect attacks that manipulate packet headers to evade detection or exploit vulnerabilities . Context-based signature analysis is a technique that analyzes packet payloads such as application data or commands to check whether they match any known attack patterns or signatures. Atomic-signature-based analysis is a technique that analyzes individual packets to check whether they match any known attack patterns or signatures. Composite-signature-based analysis is a technique that analyzes multiple packets or sessions to check whether they match any known attack patterns or signatures. 

Containerization is the technique that Stephen has implemented in the above scenario. Containerization is a technique that isolates personal and corporate data on an employee’s mobile device. Containerization creates separate encrypted containers or partitions on the device, where corporate applications and data are stored and managed. Containerization prevents corporate data leakage on employees’ mobile devices by restricting access, sharing, copying, or transferring of data between containers. Containerization also allows remote wiping of corporate data in case of device loss or theft . Full device encryption is a technique that encrypts all the data on a mobile device using a password or a key. Geofencing is a technique that uses GPS or RFID to define geographical boundaries and trigger actions based on the location of a mobile device. OTA (Over-the-Air) updates are updates that are delivered wirelessly to mobile devices without requiring physical connection to a computer.

 A data-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that employs existing data collected from various sources, such as DNS and proxy logs, to generate and test hypotheses about potential threats. This method relies on data analysis and machine learning techniques to identify patterns and anomalies that indicate malicious activity. A data-driven hunting method can help discover unknown or emerging threats that may evade traditional detection methods. An entity-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that focuses on specific entities, such as users, devices, or domains, that are suspected or known to be involved in malicious activity. A TTP-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that leverages threat intelligence and knowledge of adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to formulate and test hypotheses about potential threats. A hybrid hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that combines different approaches, such as data-driven, entity-driven, and TTP-driven methods, to achieve more comprehensive and effective results. 

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a widely adopted access control model suitable for environments where permissions need to be aligned with job roles. Here’s why RBAC is the best choice for ProNet:

Definition: RBAC assigns permissions to roles rather than individuals. Users are then assigned to these roles.

Efficiency: Reduces administrative overhead by allowing permissions to be managed at the role level.

Scalability: Suitable for large organizations as roles can be easily modified to reflect changes in job functions.

Security: Ensures that users have only the necessary permissions, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Implementation:

Define Roles: Identify the various roles within the organization (e.g., Admin, Developer, HR).

Assign Permissions: Map the necessary permissions to each role.

User Assignment: Assign users to appropriate roles based on their job functions.

References:

NIST RBAC model:Link

SANS Institute on RBAC: Link

In handling a case involving a missing laptop with sensitive financial data, the most important initial action regarding digital evidence is:

Securing the Scene:

Prevent Contamination: Secure the location where the laptop was last seen to prevent any further tampering or contamination of potential evidence.

Preservation: Ensure that any physical evidence related to the incident is preserved for further investigation.

Subsequent Steps:

Investigation: After securing the scene, proceed with interviewing personnel, reporting the incident to law enforcement, and analyzing the laptop (if found) without turning it on to avoid altering any evidence.

References:

Guidelines for handling digital evidence:NIST Digital Evidence

Best practices in digital forensics: SANS Institute

Capture is the Wireshark menu that Leilani has navigated in the above scenario. Wireshark is a network analysis tool that captures and displays network traffic in real-time or from saved files. Wireshark has various menus that contain different items and options for manipulating, displaying, and analyzing network data. Capture is the Wireshark menu that contains items to start, stop, restart, or save a live capture of network traffic. Capture also contains items to configure capture filters, interfaces, options, and preferences . Statistics is the Wireshark menu that contains items to display various statistics and graphs of network traffic, such as packet lengths, protocols, endpoints, conversations, etc. Main toolbar is the Wireshark toolbar that contains icons for quick access to common functions, such as opening or saving files, starting or stopping a capture, applying display filters, etc. Analyze is the Wireshark menu that contains items to manipulate, display and apply filters, enable or disable the dissection of protocols, and configure user-specified decodes.

Quid pro quo is the social engineering technique that Johnson employed in the above scenario. Social engineering is a technique that involves manipulating or deceiving people into performingactions or revealing information that can be used for malicious purposes. Social engineering can be performed through various methods, such as phone calls, emails, websites, etc. Quid pro quo is a social engineering method that involves offering a service or a benefit in exchange for information or access. Quid pro quo can be used to trick victims into believing that they are receiving help or assistance from a legitimate source, while in fact they are compromising their security or privacy . In the scenario, Johnson performed quid pro quo by claiming himself to represent a technical support team from a vendor and offering to help sibertech.org with a server issue, while in fact he prompted the victim to execute unusual commands and install malicious files, which were then used to collect and pass critical information to Johnson’s machine. Diversion theft is a social engineering method that involves diverting the delivery or shipment of goods or assets to a different location or destination. Elicitation is a social engineering method that involves extracting information from a target by engaging them in a conversation or an interaction. Phishing is a social engineering method that involves sending fraudulent emails or messages that appear to come from a trusted source, such as a bank, a company, or a person, and asking the recipient to click on a link, open an attachment, or provide personal or financial information.

Inclusion of Diverse Perspectives:

Involving stakeholders in policy formulation ensures that the security policy considers the diverse needs and perspectives of different departments and employees across NexusCorp’s complex organizational structure.

Quantum cryptography is the encryption mechanism demonstrated in the above scenario. Quantum cryptography is a branch of cryptography that uses quantum physics to secure data transmission and communication. Quantum cryptography encrypts data by using a sequence of photons that have a spinning trait, called polarization, while traveling from one end to another. These photons keep changing their shapes, called states, during their course through filters: vertical, horizontal, forward slash, and backslash. Quantum cryptography ensures that any attempt to intercept or tamper with the data will alter the quantum states of the photons and be detected by the sender and receiver . Homomorphic encryption is a type of encryption that allows computations to be performed on encrypted data without decrypting it first. Rivest Shamir Adleman (RSA) encryption is a type of asymmetric encryption that uses two keys, public and private, to encrypt and decrypt data. Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is a type of asymmetric encryption that uses mathematical curves to generate keys and perform encryption and decryption.

 The correct answer is B, as it identifies the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Eavesdropping is a type of attack that involves intercepting and listening to the communication between two parties without their knowledge or consent. Thomas performed eavesdropping by sniffing communication between the administrator and an application server to retrieve the admin credentials. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Vishing is a type of attack that involves using voice calls to trick people into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions. Thomas did not use voice calls but sniffed network traffic. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Phishing is a type of attack that involves sending fraudulent emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources to lure people into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions. Thomas did not send any emails or messages but sniffed network traffic. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Dumpster diving is a type of attack that involves searching through trash or discarded items to findvaluable information or resources. Thomas did not search through trash or discarded items but sniffed network traffic.

References: Section 2.2

Destination unreachable message is the network issue that Jordan found in this scenario. Destination unreachable message is a type of ICMP message that indicates that the datagram could not be forwarded owing to the unavailability of IP-related services (such as FTP or web services) on the target host. Destination unreachable message can be caused by various reasons, such as incorrect routing, firewall blocking, or host configuration problems1.

References: Destination Unreachable Message

The use of authorized RTU and PLC commands is the security control implemented by Hayes in the above scenario. RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) are devices that control and monitor industrial processes, such as power generation, water treatment, oil and gas production, etc. RTU and PLC commands are instructions that are sent from a master station to a slave station to perform certain actions or request certain data. The use of authorized RTU and PLC commands is a security control that fortifies the IDMZ (Industrial Demilitarized Zone) against cyber-attacks by ensuring that only valid and authenticated commands are executed by the RTU and PLC devices. Point-to-point communication is a communication method that establishes a direct connection between two endpoints. MAC authentication is an authentication method that verifies the MAC (Media Access Control) address of a device before granting access to a network. Anti-DoS solution is asecurity solution that protects a network from DoS (Denial-of-Service) attacks by filtering or blocking malicious traffic.

Jane encountered a combination of social engineering tactics:

Spear Phishing:

CEO Impersonation Email: The initial email and the follow-up with the scanned image of the CEO's handwritten note are examples of spear phishing, where attackers target specific individuals with tailored messages to gain their trust and extract sensitive information.

Vishing:

'IT Support' Call: The phone call from the supposed 'IT support' representative asking Jane to download a 'security patch' is a form of vishing (voice phishing). This tactic involves using phone calls to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security.

References:

Social Engineering Techniques: SANS Institute Reading Room

Phishing and Vishing Explained: Norton Security

 It identifies the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A physical lock is a device that prevents unauthorized access to a door, gate, cabinet, or other enclosure by using a mechanism that requires a key, code, or biometric factor to open or close it. There are different types of physical locks, such as:

Combination lock: This type of lock requires typing a sequence of numbers and letters by using a rotating dial that intermingles with several other rotating discs. This type of lock is suitable for securing safes, lockers, or cabinets that store valuable items or documents.

Digital lock: This type of lock requires entering a numeric or alphanumeric code by using a keypad or touchscreen. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require frequent access or multiple users.

Mechanical lock: This type of lock requires inserting and turning a metal key that matches the shape and size of the lock. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require simple and reliable access or single users.

Electromagnetic lock: This type of lock requires applying an electric current to a magnet that attracts a metal plate attached to the door or gate. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require remote control or integration with other security systems.

In the above scenario, the organization used a combination lock that requires typing a sequence of numbers and letters by using a rotating dial that intermingles with several other rotating discs. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A digital lock requires entering a numeric or alphanumeric code by using a keypad or touchscreen. In the above scenario, the organization did not use a digital lock, but a combination lock. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A mechanical lock requires inserting and turning a metal key that matches the shape and size of the lock. In the above scenario, the organization did not use a mechanical lock, but a combination lock. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. An electromagnetic lock requires applying an electric current to a magnet that attracts a metal plate attached to the door or gate. In the above scenario, the organization did not use an electromagnetic lock, but a combination lock. References: , Section 7.2

Availability is the information security element that ensures that Stella’s transaction status is immediately reflected in her bank account in this scenario. Information security is the practice of protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction. Information security can be based on three fundamental principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Confidentiality is the principle that ensures that information is accessible only to authorized parties and not disclosed to unauthorized parties. Integrity is the principle that ensures that information is accurate, complete, and consistent and not altered or corrupted by unauthorized parties. Availability is the principle that ensures that information and information systems are accessible and usable by authorized parties when needed. In the scenario, Stella purchased a smartwatch online using her debit card. After making payment for the product through the payment gateway, she received a transaction text message with a deducted and available balance from her bank. This means that her transaction status was immediately reflected in her bank account, which indicates that availability was ensured by her bank’s information system. 

GDPR Overview:

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law in the European Union that sets out requirements for companies and organizations on collecting, storing, and managing personal data.

Eradication is the IH&R step performed by Fernando in this scenario. Eradication is a step in IH&R that involves eliminating the root cause of the incident and closing all attack vectors to prevent similar incidents in future. Eradication can include applying patches, installing security mechanisms, removing malware, restoring backups, or reformatting systems.

References: [Eradication Step in IH&R]

 A data-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that employs existing data collected from various sources, such as DNS and proxy logs, to generate and test hypotheses about potential threats. This method relies on data analysis and machine learning techniques to identify patterns and anomalies that indicate malicious activity. A data-driven hunting method can help discover unknown or emerging threats that may evade traditional detection methods. An entity-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that focuses on specific entities, such as users, devices, or domains, that are suspected or known to be involved in malicious activity. A TTP-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that leverages threat intelligence and knowledge of adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to formulate and test hypotheses about potential threats. A hybrid hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that combines different approaches, such as data-driven, entity-driven, and TTP-driven methods, to achieve more comprehensive and effective results. 

WPA3 encryption is the type of wireless encryption used by the security solution employed by Matias in the above scenario. WPA3 encryption is the latest and most secure version of Wi-FiProtected Access, a protocol that provides authentication and encryption for wireless networks. WPA3 encryption uses 256-bit Galois/Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP-256) to maintain the authenticity and confidentiality of data. WPA3 encryption also provides enhanced protection against offline dictionary attacks, forward secrecy, and secure public Wi-Fi access . WPA2 encryption is the previous version of Wi-Fi Protected Access, which uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) for data encryption. WEP encryption is an outdated and insecure version of Wi-Fi security, which uses RC4 stream cipher for data encryption. WPA encryption is an intermediate version of Wi-Fi security, which uses TKIP for data encryption.

In the context of developing a cryptographic protocol resilient against quantum computing attacks, SHA-3 is the most appropriate choice. Here’s why:

Quantum Computing Threats: Quantum computers can potentially break current cryptographic methods like RSA and ECC due to Shor's algorithm. Traditional hash functions like SHA-256 might not offer sufficient security in a post-quantum world.

SHA-3 Overview: SHA-3, part of the Secure Hash Algorithm family, was designed with quantum resistance in mind. It was selected through an open competition by NIST, ensuring it incorporates advanced cryptographic techniques.

Resilience: SHA-3’s design is fundamentally different from SHA-2, providing enhanced security properties, including resistance to various attack vectors that might be feasible with quantum computing advancements.

References:

NIST SHA-3 Standard:NIST FIPS PUB 202

Research on quantum-resistant cryptography:IEEE Xplore

Decoding the Text File:

Use cryptographic tools located atZ:\CCT-Tools\CCT Module 14 Cryptographyto decode the text filesnitch.txtfound in the Downloads folder. The provided passwordsniffer@123will be used if required.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the type of short-range wireless communication technology that the billing executive has used in the above scenario. RFID uses radio-frequency electromagnetic waves to transfer data for automatic identification and for tracking tags attached to objects . RFID tags are machine-readable tags that store information about the products, such as name, price, expiry date, etc. RFID readers are readable machines that scan the RFID tags and display the product details on the computer . RFID technology is widely used in supermarkets, warehouses, libraries, and other places where inventory management and tracking are required . 

A low-interaction honeypot is a type of honeypot that simulates a real OS as well as the applications and services of a target network, but only responds to pre-configured commands. It is designed to capture basic information about the attacker, such as their IP address, tools, and techniques. A low-interaction honeypot is easier to deploy and maintain than a high-interaction honeypot, which fully emulates a real system and allows the attacker to interact with it. A pure honeypot is a real system that is intentionally vulnerable and exposed to attackers. A medium-interaction honeypot is a type of honeypot that offers more functionality and interactivity than a low-interaction honeypot, but less than a high-interaction honeypot.

Exception handling is a secure application design principle that states that the application should handle errors and exceptions gracefully and securely, without exposing sensitive information or compromising the system’s functionality. Exception handling can help prevent attackers from exploiting errors or exceptions to gain access to data or resources or cause denial-of-service attacks. In the scenario, Miguel identified a flaw in the end-point communication that can disclose the target application’s data, which means that the application did not meet the exception handling principle.

For an e-commerce company undergoing rapid expansion, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is the most relevant risk management framework:

Customizability: NIST CSF is designed to be flexible and scalable, making it suitable for a growing e-commerce platform.

Comprehensive Approach: Covers identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery, which are critical for e-commerce security.

Industry Agnostic: Applicable across various sectors, providing a robust foundation for different security needs.

Guidance and Best Practices: NIST CSF provides detailed guidelines and best practices that help organizations develop a comprehensive security posture.

References:

NIST Cybersecurity Framework:NIST CSF

Implementation of NIST CSF in e-commerce: SANS Institute

Mitigating security risks associated with OS virtualization involves a comprehensive approach. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

Implement Least Privilege Access Control for Users Managing VMs:

Limit access to only those users who need it.

Ensure that users have only the permissions necessary to perform their tasks.

Regularly Patch and Update the Hypervisor Software for Security Fixes:

Keep the hypervisor and virtualization software up-to-date to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Regular patching minimizes the risk of exploitation.

Disable Security Features on Virtual Machines to Improve Performance:

Note: This is actually a security risk. The correct approach is toenable and configure security featuresto protect VMs, despite the potential minor impact on performance.

Comprehensive Approach:

A holistic security strategy includes enforcing least privilege, maintaining updated systems, and enabling security features on VMs to protect against a wide range of threats.

References:

EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) materials.

Best practices for virtualization security from NIST and other cybersecurity frameworks.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a short-range wireless communication technology that uses radio waves to identify and track objects. RFID tags are attached to objects and RFID readers scan the tags to obtain the information stored in them. RFID is commonly used for access control, inventory management, and identification3. References: What is RFID?

Secure Data Transmission:

VPNs encrypt data transmitted between the mobile device and the network, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from interception and eavesdropping.

To effectively trace unauthorized activities within TechTonic's Windows-based server farm, the best strategy is:

Centralized Logging:

Aggregation: Collect all system logs in a centralized logging server. This ensures that all log data is stored in one place, making it easier to manage and analyze.

Correlation: Correlate logs from different sources to identify patterns and anomalies that might indicate unauthorized activities.

Pattern-Detection Algorithms:

Automated Analysis: Use algorithms to automatically detect patterns that are indicative of security breaches. This can include machine learning models trained to recognize signs of intrusion.

Real-Time Alerts: Set up real-time alerts for suspicious activities identified by the pattern-detection algorithms, enabling swift responses to potential threats.

References:

Best practices for Windows logging and monitoring:Microsoft Docs

Centralized logging solutions and their benefits: Splunk Documentation

 The correct answer is B, as it identifies the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Eavesdropping is a type of attack that involves intercepting and listening to the communication between two parties without their knowledge or consent. Thomas performed eavesdropping by sniffing communication between the administrator and an application server to retrieve the admin credentials. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Vishing is a type of attack that involves using voice calls to trick people into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions. Thomas did not use voice calls but sniffed network traffic. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Phishing is a type of attack that involves sending fraudulent emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources to lure people into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions. Thomas did not send any emails or messages but sniffed network traffic. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Dumpster diving is a type of attack that involves searching through trash or discarded items to findvaluable information or resources. Thomas did not search through trash or discarded items but sniffed network traffic.

References: Section 2.2

The testing tier of a secure application development lifecycle involves checking the performance of the application on the client’s network to determine whether end users are facing any issues in accessing the application. Testing is a crucial phase of software development that ensures the quality, functionality, reliability, and security of the application. Testing can be done manually or automatically using various tools and techniques, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, regression testing, performance testing, usability testing, security testing, and acceptance testing

 /var/log/boot.log is the Linux log file accessed by Nancy in the above scenario. Linux is an open-source operating system that logs various events and activities on the system or network. Linux log files are stored in the /var/log directory, which contains different types of log files for different purposes. /var/log/boot.log is the type of log file that records events related to the booting process of the Linux system, such as loading drivers, services, modules, etc. /var/log/boot.log can help identify issues related to unexpected shutdowns and restarts on a Linux machine . /var/log/secure is the type of log file that records events related to security and authentication, such as logins, logouts, password changes, sudo commands, etc. /var/log/kern.log is the type of log file that records events related to the kernel, such as kernel messages, errors, warnings, etc. /var/log/lighttpd/ is the directory that contains log files related to the lighttpd web server, such as access logs, error logs, etc. 

Purple team is the team that Alex works for in this scenario. A team is a group of people that work together to achieve a common goal or objective. A team can have different types based on its role or function in an organization or a project. A purple team is a type of team that works for both aggressor and defender teams. A purple team can be used to enhance protection and boost the security standards of an organization by performing various tasks, such as testing, evaluating, improving, or integrating the security measures implemented by the defender team or exploited by the aggressor team. In the scenario, Alex is a certified security professional who works for both aggressor and defender teams. His team’s main responsibility involves enhancing protection and boosting the security standards of the organization. This means that he works for a purple team. A white team is a type of team that acts as an observer or an arbitrator between the aggressor and defender teams. A white team can be used to monitor, evaluate, or adjudicate the performance or outcome of the aggressor and defender teams by providing feedback, guidance, or rules. A blue team is a type of team that acts as a defender or a protector of an organization’s network or system. A blue team can be used to prevent, detect, or respond to attacks from external or internal threats by implementing various security measures, such as firewalls, antivirus, encryption, etc. A red team is a type of team that acts as an attacker or an adversary of an organization’s network or system. A red team can be used to simulate realistic attacks from external or internal threats by exploiting various vulnerabilities, weaknesses, or gaps in the organization’s security posture.

Traceroute is the network troubleshooting utility employed by Steve in the above scenario. Traceroute is a utility that traces the route of packets from a source host to a destination host over a network. Traceroute sends ICMP echo request packets with increasing TTL (Time to Live) values and records the ICMP echo reply packets from each intermediate router or gateway along the path. Traceroute can help identify the network hops, latency, and packet loss between the source and destination hosts . Dnsenum is a utility that enumerates DNS information from a domain name or an IP address. Arp is a utility that displays and modifies the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache of a host. Ipconfig is a utility that displays and configures the IP (Internet Protocol) settings of a host.

Testing is the tier of the secure application development lifecycle that involves checking the application performance in the above scenario. Secure application development is a process that involves designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining software applications that are secure and resilient to threats and attacks. Secure application development can be based on various models or frameworks, such as SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle), OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project), etc. Secure application development consists of various tiers or stages that perform different tasks or roles. Testing is a tier of the secure application development lifecycle that involves verifying and validating the functionality and security of software applications before releasing them to end users. Testing can include various types of tests, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, performance testing, security testing, etc. Testing can be used to check the application performance and identify any errors, bugs, or vulnerabilities in the software applications. In the scenario, a software company develops new software products by following the best practices for secure application development. Dawson, a software analyst, is responsible for checking the performance of applications in the client’s network to determine any issue faced by end users while accessing the application. This means that he performs testing for this purpose. Development is a tier of the secure application development lifecycle that involves creating and coding softwareapplications according to the design and specifications. Staging is a tier of the secure application development lifecycle that involves deploying software applications to a simulated or pre-production environment for testing or evaluation purposes. Quality assurance (QA) is a tier of the secure application development lifecycle that involves ensuring that software applications meet the quality standards and expectations of end users and stakeholders 

Black-box testing is a type of penetration testing where the tester has no prior knowledge of the target system or network and initiates zero-knowledge attacks, with no information or assistance from the organization. Black-box testing simulates the perspective of an external attacker who tries to find and exploit vulnerabilities without any insider information. Black-box testing can help identify unknown or hidden vulnerabilities that may not be detected by other types of testing. However, black-box testing can also be time-consuming, costly, and incomplete, as it depends on the tester’s skills and tools.

Immediate Containment:

The first critical step in responding to a ransomware attack is to contain the spread of the malware. Isolating infected devices prevents the ransomware from propagating to other systems in the network.

TCP/UDP is the protocol that has been used to apply the rule to block the web application www.abchacker.com in the above scenario. pfSense is a firewall and router software that can be installed on a computer or a device to protect a network from various threats and attacks. pfSense can be configured to block or allow traffic based on various criteria, such as source, destination, port, protocol, etc. pfSense rules are applied to traffic in the order they appear in the firewall configuration . To perform an analysis on the rules set by the admin, one has to follow these steps:

Open a web browser and type 20.20.10.26

Press Enter key to access the pfSense web interface.

Enter admin as username and admin@l23 as password.

Click on Login button.

Click on Firewall menu and select Rules option.

Click on LAN tab and observe the rules applied to LAN interface.

The rules applied to LAN interface are:

The first rule blocks any traffic from LAN interface to www.abchacker.com website using TCP/UDP protocol. The second rule allows any traffic from LAN interface to any destination using any protocol. Since the first rule appears before the second rule, it has higher priority and will be applied first. Therefore, TCP/UDP is the protocol that has been used to apply the rule to block the web application www.abchacker.com. POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) is a protocol that allows downloading emails from a mail server to a client device. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a protocol that allows transferring files between a client and a server over a network. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is a protocol that resolves IP addresses to MAC (Media Access Control) addresses on a network. 

The correct answer is C, as it identifies the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS is a set of standards that aims to protect cardholder data and ensure secure payment transactions. PCI-DSS has 12 requirements that cover various aspects of security such as network configuration, data encryption, access control, vulnerability management, monitoring, and testing. PCI-DSS requirement no 5.1 states that “Protect all systems against malware and regularly update anti-virus software or programs”. In the above scenario, Myles followed this requirement by installing antivirus software on each laptop to detect and protect the machines from external malicious events over the Internet. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS requirement no 1.3.2 states that “Do not allow unauthorized outbound traffic from the cardholder data environment to the Internet”. In the above scenario, Myles did not follow this requirement, as there was no mention of outbound traffic or cardholder data environment. Option B is incorrect, as it does not identify the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS requirement no 1.3.5 states that “Restrict inbound and outboundtraffic to that which is necessary for the cardholder data environment”. In the above scenario, Myles did not follow this requirement, as there was no mention of inbound or outbound traffic or cardholder data environment. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS requirement no 1.3.1 states that “Implement a firewall configuration that restricts connections between publicly accessible servers and any system component storing cardholder data”. In the above scenario, Myles did not follow this requirement, as there was no mention of firewall configuration or publicly accessible servers or system components storing cardholder data.

References: Section 5.2

Strong Security:

EAP-TLS provides strong security by using certificate-based authentication. This ensures that both the client and server are authenticated before a connection is established.

For a mobile banking app, ensuring secure user authentication is crucial. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides a robust security layer:

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):

Definition: MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access, combining something they know (password), something they have (smartphone), and something they are (biometric verification).

Security Benefits: Significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if one factor is compromised.

Implementation:

User Convenience: Integrate seamlessly into the app to maintain a positive user experience.

Enhanced Security: Protects against various attack vectors, including phishing, brute force attacks, and credential stuffing.

References:

NIST Digital Identity Guidelines:NIST SP 800-63

OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide: OWASP MSTG

The attacker is a user from the image file in the above scenario. A file system is a method or structure that organizes and stores files and data on a storage device, such as a hard disk, a flash drive, etc. A file system can have different types based on its format or features, such as FAT, NTFS, ext4, etc. A file system can be analyzed to extract various information, such as file names, sizes, dates, contents, etc. A Linux image is an image file that contains a copy or a snapshot of a Linux-based file system . A Linux image can be analyzed to extract various information about a Linux-based system or device . To analyze the file system of a Linux image captured from a device that has been attacked recently and identify a user from the image file, one has to follow these steps:

Navigate to Documents folder of Attacker Machine-1.

Right-click on Evidenced.img file and select Mount option.

Wait for the image file to be mounted and assigned a drive letter.

Open File Explorer and navigate to the mounted drive.

Open etc folder and open passwd file with a text editor.

Observe the user accounts listed in the file.

The user accounts listed in the file are:

root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash daemon:x:1:1:daemon:/usr/sbin:/usr/sbin/nologin bin:x:2:2:bin:/bin:/usr/sbin/nologin sys:x:3:3:sys:/dev:/usr/sbin/nologin sync:x:4:65534:sync:/bin:/bin/sync games:x:5:60:games:/usr/games:/usr/sbin/nologin man:x:6:12:man:/var/cache/man:/usr/sbin/nologin lp:x:7:7:lp:/var/spool/lpd:/usr/sbin/nologin mail:x:8:8:mail:/var/mail:/usr/sbin/nologin news:x:9:9:news:/var/spool/news:/usr/sbin/nologin uucp:x:10:10:uucp:/var/spool/uucp:/usr/sbin/nologin proxy:x:13:13:proxy:/bin:/usr/sbin/nologin www-data:x:33:33:www-data:/var/www:/usr/sbin/nologin backup:x:34:34:backup:/var/backups:/usr/sbin/nologin list:x:38:38:Mailing List Manager:/var/list:/usr/sbin/nologin irc:x:39:39:ircd:/var/run/ircd:/usr/sbin/nologin gnats:x:41:41:Gnats Bug-Reporting System (admin):/var/lib/gnats:/usr/sbin/nologin nobody:x:65534:65534:nobody:/nonexistent:/usr/sbin/nologin systemd-timesync:x:100: systemd-network:x: systemd-resolve:x:systemd-bus-proxy:x: syslog:x: _apt:x: messagebus:x: uuidd:x: lightdm:x: whoopsie:x: avahi-autoipd:x: avahi:x: dnsmasq:x: colord:x: speech-dispatcher:x: hplip:x: kernoops:x: saned:x: nm-openvpn:x: nm-openconnect:x: pulse:x: rtkit:x: sshd:x: attacker::1000

The user account that is not a system or service account is attacker, which is a user from the image file.

 A true positive alert is generated by an IDS system when it correctly identifies an ongoing intrusion attempt on the network and sends an alert to the security professional. This is the desired outcome of an IDS system, as it indicates that the system is working effectively and accurately