About this Study Set
This study set covers Cybersecurity through
23 practice questions.
This set of questions covers fundamental cybersecurity concepts relevant to high school curricula, focusing on factual knowledge rather than hypothetical scenarios. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 23 questions from the
High School Cybersecurity Fundamentals study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
Which of the following is a common type of malware designed to encrypt a victim's files and demand payment for their decryption?
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A
Adware
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B
Spyware
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C
Ransomware
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D
Trojan horse
2
What is the primary purpose of a firewall in a network?
-
A
To speed up internet connections
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B
To block unauthorized access and control network traffic
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C
To encrypt all outgoing data
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D
To store personal files securely
3
What does the acronym 'Phishing' refer to in cybersecurity?
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A
A type of virus that replicates itself
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B
An attempt to obtain sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity
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C
A method of securing wireless networks
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D
A technique for hiding data within other data
4
Which of these is an example of a strong password characteristic?
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A
Using common words found in a dictionary
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B
Using personal information like birthdates
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C
Combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
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D
Making it short and easy to remember
5
What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?
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A
Using two different email addresses for login
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B
Requiring two separate identity verification steps to access an account
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C
A type of encryption algorithm
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D
A password manager that uses two keys
6
In the context of cybersecurity, what is a 'vulnerability'?
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A
A piece of malicious code
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B
A weakness in a system that can be exploited
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C
A secure network connection
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D
A type of antivirus software
7
Which protocol is commonly used to encrypt communications between a web browser and a web server, indicated by 'https' in the URL?
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A
HTTP
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B
FTP
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C
SSL/TLS
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D
SMTP
8
What is the main objective of a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack?
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A
To steal credit card numbers
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B
To gain unauthorized access to a server
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C
To overwhelm a system with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users
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D
To install malware on user devices
9
What is 'encryption' in cybersecurity?
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A
The process of deleting files permanently
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B
The process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access
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C
The process of creating backup copies of data
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D
The process of scanning for viruses
10
Which of the following is NOT a common social engineering tactic?
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A
Impersonation
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B
Baiting
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C
Pretexting
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D
Encryption
11
What is the purpose of an antivirus program?
-
A
To increase internet speed
-
B
To detect, prevent, and remove malicious software
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C
To manage passwords securely
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D
To back up files to the cloud
12
What does the acronym 'VPN' stand for in cybersecurity?
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A
Very Private Network
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B
Virtual Private Network
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C
Verified Personal Network
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D
Vulnerable Protocol Neutralizer
13
What is a 'cookie' in the context of web browsing and cybersecurity?
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A
A type of malware
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B
A small piece of data stored on the user's computer by a web browser, often used for tracking user activity or remembering login information
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C
A secure connection protocol
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D
A method for encrypting emails
14
Which of these is a strong defense against SQL injection attacks?
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A
Using weak passwords
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B
Not validating user input
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C
Using parameterized queries or prepared statements
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D
Disabling all error messages
15
What is the purpose of a 'digital certificate'?
-
A
To store personal photos
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B
To verify the identity of a website or individual and to enable secure communication
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C
To accelerate internet browsing
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D
To create new email accounts
16
What is a 'zero-day exploit'?
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A
An exploit that has been known for a long time
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B
An exploit that targets a software vulnerability unknown to the software vendor, meaning there is no patch available
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C
An exploit that requires user interaction to activate
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D
An exploit that is only effective on older operating systems
17
Which of the following is a privacy concern associated with social media platforms?
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A
High bandwidth usage
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B
Excessive advertising
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C
Collection and potential misuse of personal data
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D
Slow loading times
18
What is 'malware'?
-
A
A system for managing network devices
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B
Software designed to cause harm to a computer system or data
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C
A method for securely storing passwords
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D
A tool for analyzing website traffic
19
What is the principle of 'least privilege' in cybersecurity?
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A
Granting users the highest possible level of access to all resources
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B
Granting users only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their tasks
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C
Restricting all user access to a system
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D
Allowing anonymous access to sensitive data
20
Which type of attack involves exploiting weaknesses in older or unpatched software?
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A
Brute-force attack
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B
Man-in-the-middle attack
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C
Exploiting software vulnerabilities
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D
Denial-of-service attack
21
What is the main function of a 'password manager'?
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A
To automatically log you into websites
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B
To generate and store strong, unique passwords for different online accounts
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C
To encrypt your entire hard drive
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D
To scan for viruses
22
What is 'data anonymization'?
-
A
The process of deleting data permanently
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B
The process of altering or removing personally identifiable information from data so that it cannot be linked back to an individual
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C
The process of encrypting data for storage
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D
The process of transferring data between servers
23
What is the primary risk associated with clicking on unknown links or attachments in emails?
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A
Receiving unsolicited marketing emails
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B
Experiencing a sudden increase in internet speed
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C
Potentially downloading malware or falling victim to phishing attempts
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D
Getting a free software upgrade
