CompTIA Security+ Question E-28

Which of the following would a security administrator implement in order to discover comprehensive security threats on a network?

A. Design reviews
B. Baseline reporting
C. Vulnerability scan
D. Code review

Answer: C

Explanation:
A vulnerability scan is the process of scanning the network and/or I.T. infrastructure for threats and vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities include computer systems that do not have the latest security patches installed. The threats and vulnerabilities are then evaluated in a risk assessment and the necessary actions taken to resolve and vulnerabilities. A vulnerability scan is the automated process of proactively identifying security vulnerabilities of computing systems in a network in order to determine if and where a system can be exploited and/or threatened. While public servers are important for communication and data transfer over the Internet, they open the door to potential security breaches by threat agents, such as malicious hackers. Vulnerability scanning employs software that seeks out security flaws based on a database of known flaws, testing systems for the occurrence of these flaws and generating a report of the findings that an individual or an enterprise can use to tighten the network’s security. Vulnerability scanning typically refers to the scanning of systems that are connected to the Internet but can also refer to system audits on internal networks that are not connected to the Internet in order to assess the threat of rogue software or malicious employees in an enterprise.

CompTIA Security+ Question D-78

Which of the following BEST represents the goal of a vulnerability assessment?

A. To test how a system reacts to known threats
B. To reduce the likelihood of exploitation
C. To determine the system’s security posture
D. To analyze risk mitigation strategies

Answer: C

Explanation:
A vulnerability scan is the process of scanning the network and/or I.T. infrastructure for threats and vulnerabilities. The threats and vulnerabilities are then evaluated in a risk assessment and the necessary actions taken to resolve and vulnerabilities. A vulnerability scan scans for known weaknesses such as missing patches or security updates.

A vulnerability scan is the automated process of proactively identifying security vulnerabilities of computing systems in a network in order to determine if and where a system can be exploited and/or threatened. While public servers are important for communication and data transfer over the Internet, they open the door to potential security breaches by threat agents, such as malicious hackers. Vulnerability scanning employs software that seeks out security flaws based on a database of known flaws, testing systems for the occurrence of these flaws and generating a report of the findings that an individual or an enterprise can use to tighten the network’s security.

CompTIA Security+ Question D-29

Ann, a security analyst, is preparing for an upcoming security audit. To ensure that she identifies unapplied security controls and patches without attacking or compromising the system, Ann would use which of the following?

A. Vulnerability scanning
B. SQL injection
C. Penetration testing
D. Antivirus update

Answer: A

Explanation:
A vulnerability scan is the process of scanning the network and/or I.T. infrastructure for threats and vulnerabilities. The threats and vulnerabilities are then evaluated in a risk assessment and the necessary actions taken to resolve and vulnerabilities. A vulnerability scan scans for known weaknesses such as missing patches or security updates.

A vulnerability scan is the automated process of proactively identifying security vulnerabilities of computing systems in a network in order to determine if and where a system can be exploited and/or threatened. While public servers are important for communication and data transfer over the Internet, they open the door to potential security breaches by threat agents, such as malicious hackers. Vulnerability scanning employs software that seeks out security flaws based on a database of known flaws, testing systems for the occurrence of these flaws and generating a report of the findings that an individual or an enterprise can use to tighten the network’s security.

CompTIA Security+ Question C-76

Peter, the information security manager, is tasked with calculating risk and selecting controls to protect a new system. He has identified people, environmental conditions, and events that could affect the new system. Which of the following does he need to estimate NEXT in order to complete his risk calculations?

A. Vulnerabilities
B. Risk
C. Likelihood
D. Threats

Answer: A

Explanation:
In this question, the security administrator has identified people, environmental conditions, and events that could affect the new system. The next step of the risk assessment is to determine the vulnerabilities of the system itself.

Risk assessment deals with the threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts of a loss of information-processing capabilities or a loss of information itself. A vulnerability is a weakness that could be exploited by a threat. Each risk that can be identified should be outlined, described, and evaluated for the likelihood of it occurring. The key here is to think outside the box. Conventional threats and risks are often too limited when considering risk assessment. The key components of a risk-assessment process are outlined here: Risks to Which the Organization Is Exposed: This component allows you to develop scenarios that can help you evaluate how to deal with these risks if they occur. An operating system, server, or application may have known risks in certain environments. You should create a plan for how your organization will best deal with these risks and the best way to respond. Risks That Need Addressing: The risk-assessment component also allows an organization to provide a reality check on which risks are real and which are unlikely. This process helps an organization focus on its resources as well as on the risks that are most likely to occur. For example, industrial espionage and theft are likely, but the risk of a hurricane damaging the server room in Indiana is very low. Therefore, more resources should be allocated to prevent espionage or theft as opposed to the latter possibility.

CompTIA Security+ Question C-72

Which of the following would a security administrator implement in order to identify a problem between two applications that are not communicating properly?

A. Protocol analyzer
B. Baseline report
C. Risk assessment
D. Vulnerability scan

Answer: A

Explanation:
A Protocol Analyzer is a hardware device or more commonly a software program used to capture

network data communications sent between devices on a network. Capturing and analyzing the packets sent between applications on systems that are not communicating properly could help determine the cause of the issue. Well known software protocol analyzers include Message Analyzer (formerly Network Monitor) from Microsoft and Wireshark (formerly Ethereal).

CompTIA Security+ Question B-17

An administrator is concerned that a company’s web server has not been patched. Which of the following would be the BEST assessment for the administrator to perform?

A. Vulnerability scan
B. Risk assessment
C. Virus scan
D. Network sniffer

Answer: A

Explanation:
A vulnerability scan is the process of scanning the network and/or I.T. infrastructure for threats and vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities include computer systems that do not have the latest security patches installed. The threats and vulnerabilities are then evaluated in a risk assessment and the necessary actions taken to resolve and vulnerabilities. A vulnerability scan is the automated process of proactively identifying security vulnerabilities of computing systems in a network in order to determine if and where a system can be exploited and/or threatened. While public servers are important for communication and data transfer over the Internet, they open the door to potential security breaches by threat agents, such as malicious hackers. Vulnerability scanning employs software that seeks out security flaws based on a database of known flaws, testing systems for the occurrence of these flaws and generating a report of the findings that an individual or an enterprise can use to tighten the network’s security. Vulnerability scanning typically refers to the scanning of systems that are connected to the Internet but can also refer to system audits on internal networks that are not connected to the Internet in order to assess the threat of rogue software or malicious employees in an enterprise.

CompTIA Security+ Question B-4

A company has two server administrators that work overnight to apply patches to minimize disruption to the company. With the limited working staff, a security engineer performs a risk assessment to ensure the protection controls are in place to monitor all assets including the administrators in case of an emergency. Which of the following should be in place?

A. NIDS
B. CCTV
C. Firewall
D. NIPS

Answer: B

Explanation:
CCTV are an excellent way to deter unwanted activity and it records the occurrence of the event, in case it does happen. Cameras can be placed to watch points of entry, to monitor activities around valuable assets as well as provide additional protection in areas such as parking areas and walkways.

CompTIA Security+ Question B-1

One of the findings of risk assessment is that many of the servers on the data center subnet contain data that is in scope for PCI compliance, Everyone in the company has access to these servers, regardless of their job function. Which of the following should the administrator do?

A. Segment the network
B. Use 802.1X
C. Deploy a proxy sever
D. Configure ACLs
E. Write an acceptable use policy

Answer: A

CompTIA Security+ Question A-83

A security administrator wants to perform routine tests on the network during working hours when certain applications are being accessed by the most people. Which of the following would allow the security administrator to test the lack of security controls for those applications with the least impact to the system?

A. Penetration test
B. Vulnerability scan
C. Load testing
D. Port scanner

Answer: B

Explanation:
A vulnerability scan is the process of scanning the network and/or I.T. infrastructure for threats and vulnerabilities. The threats and vulnerabilities are then evaluated in a risk assessment and the necessary actions taken to resolve and vulnerabilities. A vulnerability scan scans for known weaknesses such as missing patches or security updates.

A vulnerability scan is the automated process of proactively identifying security vulnerabilities of computing systems in a network in order to determine if and where a system can be exploited and/or threatened. While public servers are important for communication and data transfer over the Internet, they open the door to potential security breaches by threat agents, such as malicious hackers. Vulnerability scanning employs software that seeks out security flaws based on a database of known flaws, testing systems for the occurrence of these flaws and generating a report of the findings that an individual or an enterprise can use to tighten the network’s security.