Preparing for the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification? Test your knowledge and understanding of the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with this practice test consisting of 25 multiple-choice questions. Each question is followed by the correct answer and a brief explanation to reinforce your understanding of key concepts.
1. Which of the following is a symmetric encryption algorithm?
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Explanation:
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm, while RSA, ECC, and DSA are asymmetric encryption algorithms.
2. What type of malware disguises itself as legitimate software?
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Explanation:
A Trojan disguises itself as legitimate software to trick the user into installing it, subsequently delivering its malicious payload.
3. Which security principle prevents any single person or system from having complete control over a process or system?
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Explanation:
Separation of Duties (SoD) is a security principle aimed at preventing any single individual or system from having complete control over a process or system to mitigate the risk of malicious activity.
4. What is the purpose of a VPN?
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Explanation:
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is used to create a secure and encrypted connection over the internet, allowing secure communication between remote sites or users.
5. What type of attack involves exploiting a vulnerability in a system before the vendor releases a patch?
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A zero-day attack exploits a vulnerability that is unknown to the vendor, typically occurring before a patch is released.
6. Which of the following is a form of physical security?
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Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, is a form of physical security used to control access to buildings, rooms, and IT systems.
7. What is the primary purpose of risk management in information security?
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The primary purpose of risk management is to identify, assess, and prioritize risks, followed by applying resources to minimize, control, and monitor the impact of risks.
8. What is the first step in the incident response process?
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The first step in the incident response process is preparation, where organizations establish and develop incident response policies, plans, procedures, and resources.
9. Which authentication factor category does a fingerprint belong to?
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A fingerprint is a form of biometric authentication, which falls under the category of "something you are."
10. What is the main difference between hashing and encryption?
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Encryption is a reversible process used for confidentiality, while hashing is a one-way function used for integrity.
11. What type of attack occurs when an attacker attempts to gain unauthorized access to a network by pretending to be a trusted host?
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A spoofing attack occurs when an attacker disguises communication or data to appear as if it's coming from a trusted source, thereby gaining unauthorized access to a system or network.
12. Which protocol is used to securely manage network devices?
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SSH (Secure Shell) is a protocol used for securely managing network devices and systems by providing encrypted communication over insecure networks.
13. What is the purpose of using digital signatures?
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Digital signatures are used to verify the integrity and authenticity of data by ensuring that the data has not been altered and confirming the identity of the signer.
14. What type of security control is an antivirus software?
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Antivirus software is a preventive security control as it helps in preventing malware infections by scanning and blocking malicious files and software.
15. Which of the following best describes a honeypot?
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A honeypot is a decoy system or network set up to attract and trap attackers, thereby protecting the actual system or network from unauthorized access or attacks.
16. What type of analysis involves identifying vulnerabilities without actually testing them?
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Explanation:
Threat modeling involves identifying and analyzing potential threats and vulnerabilities in a system or application, often without actively testing them, to enhance security.
17. Which of the following is used to provide security for email communication through encryption and digital signatures?
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Explanation:
S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is used to secure email communication by providing confidentiality, integrity, and authentication through encryption and digital signatures.
18. What term is used to describe the practice of securely deleting data to prevent unauthorized recovery?
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Explanation:
Data sanitization is the practice of securely deleting data from storage media to prevent unauthorized recovery and ensure the data cannot be reconstructed or retrieved.
19. Which of the following security concepts ensures that data is accessible and usable when needed?
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The concept of availability in information security ensures that data and resources are accessible and usable by authorized users when needed, preventing disruptions in service.
20. What is the primary function of a Certificate Authority (CA) in a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)?
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In a PKI, the primary function of a Certificate Authority (CA) is to issue, revoke, and manage digital certificates, which are used to verify the authenticity of public keys.
21. Which security incident involves unauthorized access and collection of user data for malicious purposes?
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Explanation:
A data breach is a security incident where unauthorized individuals access and collect sensitive and confidential user data, often for malicious purposes such as identity theft or financial fraud.
22. What is the main objective of security awareness training?
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The main objective of security awareness training is to inform and educate users about security policies, procedures, and best practices to enhance organizational security and prevent security incidents.
23. Which of the following protocols provides secure file transfer capabilities?
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Explanation:
SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) provides secure file transfer capabilities by encrypting both commands and data, ensuring confidentiality and integrity during transit.
24. What type of attack involves sending unsolicited messages to a large number of users, typically for advertising or phishing purposes?
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Explanation:
Spam involves sending unsolicited messages, usually emails, to a large number of users for various purposes, including advertising, phishing, or spreading malware.
25. Which of the following is a security measure to protect sensitive information from being disclosed on social media?
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Explanation:
An Information Security Policy outlines the guidelines and procedures for protecting sensitive information, including measures to prevent disclosure on social media.
This practice test for the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification is designed to help you assess your knowledge and understanding of GCP services and concepts. Reviewing the answers and explanations will further solidify your learning. For thorough preparation, explore the official Google Cloud documentation, participate in Qwiklabs, and utilize additional study materials. Wishing you the best as you continue your preparation and journey to becoming a certified Google Associate Cloud Engineer!