100+ Cyber Security Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

To identify the genuine mail, check the sender's email address and verify the content and attachments.

• Check the sender's email address for any discrepancies or variations.

• Verify the content of the email for any grammatical errors or suspicious requests.

• Check the attachments for any malware or suspicious file types.

• Contact the sender directly to confirm the authenticity of the email.

• Use email filtering and anti-phishing software to prevent such emails from reaching your inbox.

To monitor the runtime behavior of a suspicious executable without risking its spread, a Cyber Security Analyst can employ tools and techniques such as sandboxing, virtual machines, and dynamic analysis tools.

• Utilize sandboxing techniques to isolate the malware and prevent it from infecting the host system.

• Set up a virtual machine environment to run the suspicious executable, ensuring the malware is contained within the virtual environment.

• Use dynamic analysis tools like Proc...read more

To analyze unknown malware, use static code analysis and reverse engineering techniques.

• Use disassemblers and decompilers to analyze the code and understand its functionality.

• Inspect the code for any potential vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows or insecure coding practices.

• Identify any obfuscation techniques used by the malware to evade detection.

• Use debuggers to trace the execution flow and identify any malicious behavior.

• Analyze the malware's network communication to...read more

To make the system secure from a user point of view, I would implement strong authentication measures and educate users on safe browsing habits.

• Implement multi-factor authentication

• Enforce strong password policies

• Regularly update and patch software

• Provide security awareness training to users

• Restrict user access to sensitive data

• Monitor user activity for suspicious behavior

Analyzing fileless malware involves examining memory and logs to identify and mitigate threats operating without traditional files.

• Fileless malware often uses legitimate tools like PowerShell or WMI to execute code in memory.

• Analyze memory dumps using tools like Volatility or Rekall to identify suspicious processes or injected code.

• Check system logs for unusual activity, such as unexpected PowerShell commands or abnormal process creation.

• Look for signs of persistence, such as...read more

SQL injection is a type of cyber attack. Splunk is a software platform used for searching, analyzing and visualizing machine-generated data.

• SQL injection is a technique where malicious SQL statements are inserted into an entry field to execute unauthorized actions.

• Splunk architecture consists of forwarders, indexers, and search heads.

• Forwarders collect data from various sources and send it to indexers.

• Indexers store and index the data for faster search and analysis.

• Search hea...read more

Creating a virus to fix a crashed server is unethical and illegal; focus on recovery methods instead.

• Identify the cause of the crash using logs and monitoring tools.

• Utilize backup systems to restore data and functionality.

• Implement security patches to prevent future crashes.

• Consider using recovery software to retrieve lost data.

Mitigating common cyber attacks involves implementing strong passwords, regular software updates, and employee training.

• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication

• Regularly update software and operating systems

• Train employees on how to identify and avoid phishing scams

• Implement firewalls and antivirus software

• Limit access to sensitive data and regularly backup important files

The OWASP Top 10 is a list of the most critical web application security risks.

• Injection

• Broken Authentication and Session Management

• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

• Broken Access Control

• Security Misconfiguration

• Insecure Cryptographic Storage

• Insufficient Transport Layer Protection

• Unvalidated and Unsanitized Input

• Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities

• Insufficient Logging and Monitoring

Scanning is the process of systematically examining a network or system for vulnerabilities or potential security threats.

• Scanning involves sending network requests to identify open ports, services, and potential vulnerabilities.

• It helps in identifying weaknesses in the network or system that can be exploited by attackers.

• Scanning can be performed using various tools like Nmap, Nessus, or OpenVAS.

• Different types of scans include port scanning, vulnerability scanning, and netw...read more

Pentesting is a method of assessing the security of a system by simulating real-world attacks. NMap is a popular tool for network scanning.

• Pentesting, short for penetration testing, involves identifying vulnerabilities in a system through simulated attacks.

• There are different types of pentesting, including network, web application, wireless, and social engineering.

• NMap is a powerful network scanning tool used to discover hosts and services on a network.

• To scan an IP address u...read more

SIEM tools are security information and event management tools used to collect, analyze, and manage security data.

• SIEM tools collect security data from various sources such as network devices, servers, and applications.

• They analyze the collected data to detect security incidents and threats in real-time.

• SIEM tools provide centralized monitoring and reporting capabilities for security events.

• They help in compliance management by generating reports and alerts based on predefine...read more

Bypassing jailbreak detection and SSL pinning involves manipulating app behavior to assess security vulnerabilities.

• Use tools like Frida or Objection to dynamically modify app behavior.

• For jailbreak detection, modify the app's runtime environment to spoof system checks.

• Bypass SSL pinning by using a custom SSL certificate or modifying the app's networking code.

• Example: Use Frida scripts to hook into NSURLSession methods to bypass SSL pinning.

• Check for common jailbreak detectio...read more

OOPS concepts include inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism, and abstraction.

• Inheritance allows a class to inherit properties and methods from another class.

• Encapsulation is the practice of hiding data and methods within a class.

• Polymorphism allows objects to take on multiple forms or behaviors.

• Abstraction is the process of simplifying complex systems by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts.

• Examples include a subclass inheriting from a superclass, private...read more

DoS and DDoS are types of cyber attacks. DoS targets a single system, while DDoS targets multiple systems simultaneously.

• DoS stands for Denial of Service, where an attacker overwhelms a target system with a flood of traffic or requests.

• DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service, where multiple systems are used to launch the attack.

• DoS attacks can be carried out by a single attacker using a single device or network.

• DDoS attacks involve multiple attackers using multiple devi...read more

Phishing attack is a type of social engineering attack where attackers trick victims into revealing sensitive information.

• Phishing attacks can be carried out through emails, phone calls, or text messages.

• Attackers often use fake websites or login pages to steal login credentials.

• Phishing attacks can also be used to distribute malware or ransomware.

• Examples of phishing attacks include spear phishing, whaling, and vishing.

• Phishing attacks can be prevented by being cautious of s...read more

A SOC monitors and responds to security incidents, while VAPT tools identify and exploit vulnerabilities.

• A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized unit that monitors and analyzes an organization's security posture.

• SOC teams use tools like SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) for real-time analysis of security alerts.

• Vulnerability Assessment tools, such as Nessus and Qualys, scan systems for known vulnerabilities.

• Penetration Testing tools, like Metasploit...read more

The type of data stored in OSI Model Data Link Layer is the frame or packet.

• The Data Link Layer is responsible for the physical transmission of data between network nodes.

• It encapsulates the network layer packet into a frame with additional control information.

• Examples of data stored in this layer include Ethernet frames, MAC addresses, and error detection codes.

Encryption and decryption come under the confidentiality part of the CIA triad.

• Encryption and decryption are used to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

• Confidentiality ensures that only authorized users can access the data.

• Examples of encryption methods include AES, RSA, and DES.

Black hat hackers are cyber criminals who exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain, while white hat hackers use their skills for ethical purposes.

• Black hat hackers use their skills to steal data, spread malware, and commit other cyber crimes.

• White hat hackers are hired by organizations to test their security systems and identify vulnerabilities.

• Grey hat hackers fall somewhere in between, using their skills for both ethical and unethical purposes.

• Examples of black hat hackers...read more

Common cyber attacks include phishing, malware, ransomware, DDoS, and social engineering.

• Phishing: fraudulent emails or websites that trick users into giving sensitive information

• Malware: malicious software that can damage or control a computer system

• Ransomware: malware that encrypts files and demands payment for their release

• DDoS: Distributed Denial of Service attacks overwhelm a website or network with traffic

• Social engineering: manipulating people into divulging sensitive ...read more

Analyzing network traffic from thick client applications involves capturing, inspecting, and interpreting data packets exchanged over the network.

• Use packet capture tools like Wireshark to capture network traffic during application usage.

• Filter captured packets by IP address or port to focus on relevant traffic.

• Analyze the protocols used (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, TCP) to understand data flow.

• Look for sensitive data transmission, such as unencrypted credentials or personal informati...read more

To prevent malware attacks, organisations can implement strong cybersecurity measures such as regular software updates, employee training, network segmentation, and endpoint protection.

• Regularly update software and security patches to address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware.

• Educate employees on safe browsing habits, email phishing awareness, and the importance of not clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.

• Implement network segmentat...read more

Key security issues in source code reviews include vulnerabilities, insecure coding practices, and data protection flaws.

• Input Validation: Ensure all user inputs are validated to prevent SQL injection attacks. Example: Using prepared statements instead of concatenating SQL queries.

• Authentication and Authorization: Check for proper implementation of user authentication and role-based access control. Example: Ensure password hashing is done using strong algorithms like bcrypt.

• E...read more

Commonly used digital forensic tools include EnCase, FTK, Autopsy, and Volatility.

• EnCase: Used for disk imaging, analysis, and reporting.

• FTK (Forensic Toolkit): Helps in analyzing and recovering data from various devices.

• Autopsy: Open-source tool for analyzing disk images and smartphones.

• Volatility: Used for memory forensics to analyze RAM dumps.

To reset a password protected BIOS configuration, you can use various methods such as removing the CMOS battery, using a BIOS reset jumper, or using manufacturer-specific software.

• Remove the CMOS battery from the motherboard for a few minutes to reset the BIOS settings.

• Locate the BIOS reset jumper on the motherboard and move it to the reset position for a few seconds.

• Use manufacturer-specific software or tools to reset the BIOS configuration.

• Consult the motherboard or compute...read more

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence.

• Cloud computing allows users to access and store data and applications on remote servers instead of on their local devices.

• It offers scalability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to access resources from anywhere with an internet connection.

• Examples of cloud computing services include Amazon Web Servi...read more