30+ Cyber Security Analyst Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

TSL is a protocol used to secure communication over the internet. Three-way handshake is a method used to establish a connection. Cyber attacks are malicious activities aimed at disrupting or damaging computer systems.

• TSL (Transport Layer Security) is a cryptographic protocol used to secure communication over the internet.

• Three-way handshake is a method used to establish a connection between two devices. It involves three steps: SYN, SYN-ACK, and ACK.

• Cyber attacks are malicio...read more

Cyber security refers to the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and sensitive information from unauthorized access, theft, or damage.

• Cyber security involves various technologies, processes, and practices to safeguard digital assets.

• It includes measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, and access controls.

• Cyber security threats can come from various sources, including hackers, malware, phishing attacks, and insider threats.

• Cyber security profe...read more

Firewalls are network security systems that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

• Types of firewalls include packet filtering firewalls, stateful inspection firewalls, proxy firewalls, and next-generation firewalls.

• Packet filtering firewalls examine packets of data and decide whether to forward or discard them based on predetermined criteria.

• Stateful inspection firewalls keep track of the state of active connections an...read more

Stateful firewalls track the state of active connections, while stateless firewalls filter packets based on predetermined rules.

• Stateful firewalls maintain context about active connections, allowing them to make more informed decisions about which packets to allow or block.

• Stateless firewalls filter packets based on static rules, without considering the state of the connection.

• Stateful firewalls are more secure as they can inspect the contents of packets and make decisions ba...read more

0.0.0.0 is a special IP address used to represent a non-routable meta-address.

• 0.0.0.0 is often used in network programming to indicate an invalid, unknown, or non-applicable target

• It is typically used in routing tables or as a placeholder address

• It can also be used by servers to listen on all available network interfaces

A C program for designing calculator

• Use switch case for different operations

• Use scanf to take input from user

• Use printf to display output

• Use functions for each operation

• Use loops for continuous calculations

Red Hat is a leading provider of open source software solutions, including the popular Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system.

• Red Hat is a software company that specializes in open source solutions.

• They are known for their flagship product, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

• Red Hat offers a range of software products and services for businesses.

• Their solutions focus on security, reliability, and scalability.

• Red Hat also provides support and training for their products.

The pillar of cybersecurity is confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

• Confidentiality: Ensuring that information is only accessible to authorized individuals.

• Integrity: Maintaining the accuracy and trustworthiness of data and systems.

• Availability: Ensuring that systems and data are accessible and usable when needed.

ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security management systems, while 27001 is a typographical error.

• ISO 27001 is the correct international standard for information security management systems.

• 27001 is a typographical error and does not refer to any specific standard.

• Organizations should aim for ISO 27001 certification to demonstrate their commitment to information security.

• ISO 27001 provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and co...read more

DNS stands for Domain Name System and its purpose is to translate domain names into IP addresses.

• DNS helps users easily access websites by translating human-readable domain names (e.g. www.google.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (e.g. 172.217.3.206).

• It helps in load balancing by distributing traffic among multiple servers based on the IP address resolved by DNS.

• DNS also provides redundancy and fault tolerance by allowing multiple DNS servers to store the same DNS recor...read more

DNS stands for Domain Name System, a system that translates domain names to IP addresses. DNS Proxy is a server that forwards DNS queries.

• DNS is like a phone book for the internet, translating domain names (like google.com) to IP addresses (like 172.217.3.206)

• DNS Proxy is a server that acts as an intermediary between a client and a DNS server, forwarding DNS queries on behalf of the client

• DNS Proxy can be used for filtering, caching, or load balancing DNS queries

A write blocker is a hardware device or software tool that prevents data from being written to a storage device.

• Used in digital forensics to prevent accidental or intentional modification of data during analysis

• Ensures the integrity of evidence by allowing read-only access to the storage device

• Commonly used in investigations involving computers, mobile devices, and other digital media

• Examples include Tableau write blockers, WiebeTech write blockers

A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

• Acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external network

• Filters network traffic based on rules set by the administrator

• Can be hardware-based or software-based

• Examples include Cisco ASA, Palo Alto Networks, and pfSense

Cloudflare is a web infrastructure and website security company that provides content delivery network services, DDoS mitigation, and DNS services.

• Cloudflare offers services such as CDN, DDoS protection, and DNS management.

• It helps improve website performance by caching content closer to users.

• Cloudflare's security features protect websites from various online threats.

• It provides analytics and insights into website traffic and performance.

• Cloudflare has a large network of ser...read more

Cryptography is the practice of secure communication in the presence of third parties. There are two types: symmetric and asymmetric.

• Symmetric cryptography uses the same key for encryption and decryption, such as AES and DES.

• Asymmetric cryptography uses a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption, such as RSA and ECC.

• Other types include hashing algorithms like SHA-256 and digital signatures like DSA.

• Cryptography is used to protect sensitive information like p...read more

The OSI model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven layers.

• The OSI model stands for Open Systems Interconnection model.

• It helps in understanding how data is transferred from one computer to another over a network.

• Each layer in the OSI model has specific functions and communicates with the adjacent layers.

• Examples of OSI model layers include physical layer, data link layer, network layer, transport layer...read more

Various compliance standards are regulations that organizations must follow to protect sensitive data and ensure cybersecurity.

• Compliance standards include GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a European Union regulation that governs data protection and privacy for individuals within the EU

• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient data in the healthcare industry

• PCI ...read more

CIA Triad is a foundational concept in cybersecurity that stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

• Confidentiality ensures that data is only accessible to authorized individuals.

• Integrity ensures that data is accurate and has not been tampered with.

• Availability ensures that data is accessible when needed, without interruption.

• Examples: Encrypting sensitive information for confidentiality, using checksums for data integrity, and implementing redundancy for avail...read more

Antivirus works by scanning files and programs on a computer for known patterns of malicious code.

• Antivirus software uses a database of known virus signatures to identify and remove malicious code.

• It scans files, emails, and programs in real-time to detect and prevent malware infections.

• Some antivirus programs also use heuristic analysis to identify new and unknown threats based on behavior.

• Antivirus software can quarantine or delete infected files to prevent further damage t...read more

DHCP is a network protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.

• DHCP server assigns IP addresses to devices on a network

• DHCP client requests an IP address from the DHCP server

• DHCP lease time determines how long an IP address is valid for

• DHCP uses UDP port 67 for server and port 68 for client communication

TCP/IP model is a networking protocol suite that defines how data is transmitted over a network.

• TCP/IP model stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

• It consists of four layers: Application, Transport, Internet, and Link.

• Each layer has specific functions to ensure data is transmitted accurately and efficiently.

• Examples of protocols in the TCP/IP model include HTTP, FTP, TCP, and IP.

IDS detects and logs potential security threats, while IPS actively blocks and prevents them.

• IDS stands for Intrusion Detection System, which monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts the administrator.

• IPS stands for Intrusion Prevention System, which not only detects threats like IDS but also takes action to block or prevent them.

• IDS is passive in nature, while IPS is active and can automatically respond to threats.

• An example of IDS is Snort, which analyzes...read more

Cloudflare is a web infrastructure and website security company that provides content delivery network (CDN) services, DDoS mitigation, and DNS services.

• Provides CDN services to improve website performance and speed

• Offers DDoS mitigation to protect websites from cyber attacks

• Provides DNS services to improve website security and performance

• Helps protect websites from various online threats

OSINT stands for Open Source Intelligence, which refers to the collection and analysis of publicly available information.

• OSINT involves gathering information from sources such as social media, websites, and public records.

• It is used by organizations and individuals to gather intelligence on potential threats, competitors, or targets.

• Examples of OSINT tools include Google, social media platforms, and specialized search engines like Shodan.

• OSINT is often used in cyber security ...read more

TCP flags are control bits in the TCP header used to indicate the status of a TCP connection.

• TCP flags include SYN, ACK, FIN, RST, PSH, URG, and ECE.

• SYN flag is used to initiate a connection.

• ACK flag is used to acknowledge receipt of data.

• FIN flag is used to terminate a connection.

• RST flag is used to reset a connection.

• PSH flag is used to push data to the application layer.

• URG flag is used to indicate urgent data.

• ECE flag is used for ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification).

SQL injections are a type of cyber attack where malicious SQL code is inserted into input fields to manipulate databases.

• 1. Union-based SQL injection: Adds a UNION statement to the original SQL query to retrieve data from other tables.

• 2. Error-based SQL injection: Injects SQL code that triggers database errors to reveal information.

• 3. Blind SQL injection: Exploits a vulnerability without displaying errors, making it harder to detect.

• 4. Time-based SQL injection: Delays the ser...read more