Top 30 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) only focused on the Common Authentication Mechanisms in WEB Security covering below topics,along with their answers and explanations.

  • Understanding various authentication mechanisms, including passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and biometrics.
  • Discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each mechanism.

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1. What is the most common form of user authentication on the web?

  • Biometric authentication
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA)
  • Password-based authentication
  • Single sign-on (SSO)

2. Which authentication mechanism involves verifying a user's identity through physical or behavioral characteristics?

  • Knowledge-based authentication
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA)
  • Biometric authentication
  • Token-based authentication

3. What is the primary strength of password-based authentication?

  • Quick and convenient
  • Resistance to phishing attacks
  • Low implementation cost
  • Easy to remember and use

4. What is the main weakness of relying solely on passwords for authentication?

  • Vulnerability to phishing attacks
  • High implementation cost
  • Difficulty in user adoption
  • Susceptibility to brute-force attacks

5. In the context of multi-factor authentication (MFA), what factors are typically involved in the verification process?

  • Something the user knows and something the user possesses
  • Something the user possesses and something the user is
  • Something the user knows and something the user is
  • Something the user has and something the user does

6. What is the primary advantage of using multi-factor authentication (MFA) over single-factor authentication?

  • Increased security by adding multiple layers of verification
  • Faster and more convenient user experience
  • Lower implementation cost
  • Elimination of the need for passwords

7. Which factor is often used in the "something the user is" category of multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

  • Password
  • Fingerprint
  • Security token
  • One-time passcode

8. What is the purpose of using security tokens in authentication?

  • Encrypting communication channels
  • Storing sensitive user data
  • Generating one-time passcodes for authentication
  • Validating the authenticity of a user or system

9. How does token-based authentication enhance security in web applications?

  • By eliminating the need for passwords
  • By encrypting communication channels
  • By providing a quick and convenient method of identity verification
  • By reducing the risk of credential stuffing attacks

10. What is the primary advantage of using biometric authentication in web security?

  • Low implementation cost
  • Resistance to phishing attacks
  • Quick and convenient user experience
  • Easy to remember and use

11. How does biometric authentication contribute to user convenience in the authentication process?

  • By requiring users to memorize complex passwords
  • By eliminating the need for usernames
  • By providing a quick and convenient method of identity verification
  • By increasing the frequency of password changes

12. What is the primary disadvantage of relying solely on biometric authentication?

  • High implementation cost
  • Limited scalability
  • Vulnerability to spoofing or false positives
  • Susceptibility to brute-force attacks

13. In the context of smart cards, what is stored on the physical card for authentication purposes?

  • Biometric data
  • User credentials and passwords
  • Digital certificates and cryptographic keys
  • Security questions and answers

14. What is the primary advantage of using smart cards for authentication?

  • Low implementation cost
  • Resistance to phishing attacks
  • Quick and convenient user experience
  • Enhanced security through cryptographic keys

15. What is the purpose of public-key infrastructure (PKI) in authentication?

  • Biometric verification
  • Storing sensitive user data
  • Facilitating secure communication through digital certificates
  • Validating the authenticity of a user or system

16. What is the main strength of using biometric authentication in the verification process?

  • High implementation cost
  • Resistance to phishing attacks
  • Quick and convenient user experience
  • Ease of use and memorization

17. In the context of knowledge-based authentication, what are users typically required to provide?

  • Something the user knows
  • Something the user possesses
  • Something the user is
  • Something the user does

18. How does adaptive authentication enhance security in the verification process?

  • By adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors and user behavior
  • By eliminating the need for passwords
  • By encrypting communication channels
  • By using multiple authentication factors exclusively

19. What is the primary purpose of using biometric verification in conjunction with another authentication factor?

  • Reducing the risk of false positives
  • Increasing the frequency of password changes
  • Eliminating the need for passwords
  • Enhancing the overall security of the authentication process

20. How does single sign-on (SSO) contribute to user authentication?

  • By centralizing user authentication across multiple applications
  • By restricting user access to a single application
  • By providing a quick and convenient method of identity verification
  • By eliminating the need for passwords

21. What is the purpose of a one-time passcode in two-factor authentication (2FA)?

  • Validating the authenticity of a user or system
  • Providing an additional layer of identity verification
  • Encrypting communication channels
  • Eliminating the need for passwords

22. How does social login contribute to user authentication?

  • By adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors and user behavior
  • By centralizing user authentication across multiple applications
  • By eliminating the need for passwords
  • By using social media credentials for authentication

23. What is the primary advantage of using hardware tokens for authentication?

  • Resistance to phishing attacks
  • Quick and convenient user experience
  • Low implementation cost
  • Ease of use and memorization

24. How does risk-based authentication contribute to the verification process?

  • By adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors and user behavior
  • By using multiple authentication factors exclusively
  • By eliminating the need for passwords
  • By encrypting communication channels

25. What is the primary advantage of using knowledge-based authentication?

  • Low implementation cost
  • Resistance to phishing attacks
  • Quick and convenient user experience
  • Elimination of the need for passwords

26. What is the purpose of a CAPTCHA in the authentication process?

  • Validating the authenticity of a user or system
  • Providing an additional layer of identity verification
  • Preventing automated attacks by distinguishing between humans and bots
  • Eliminating the need for passwords

27. What is the main weakness of using single sign-on (SSO) for authentication?

  • Resistance to phishing attacks
  • Susceptibility to credential stuffing attacks
  • Quick and convenient user experience
  • Low implementation cost

28. How does continuous authentication contribute to the overall security of user accounts?

  • By adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors and user behavior
  • By providing a quick and convenient method of identity verification
  • By constantly monitoring user behavior for signs of compromise
  • By using multiple authentication factors exclusively

29. What is the primary purpose of a security token in authentication?

  • Resistance to phishing attacks
  • Quick and convenient user experience
  • Adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors
  • Encrypting communication channels

30. How does knowledge-based authentication contribute to user verification?

  • By requiring users to memorize complex passwords
  • By using something the user possesses for verification
  • By providing an additional layer of identity verification
  • By using the current time as an additional authentication factor
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