Top 30 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) only focused on the Password Attacks on authentication in WEB Security covering below topics,along with their answers and explanations.
- Describing common password attack techniques (e.g., brute force, dictionary attacks).
- Emphasizing the importance of strong password policies.
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1. What is the primary goal of a brute force password attack?
- Gaining unauthorized access by exploiting software vulnerabilities
- Cracking passwords by trying all possible combinations
- Intercepting communication channels to capture passwords
- Guessing passwords based on user information
The primary goal of a brute force password attack is to crack passwords by trying all possible combinations.
2. In a dictionary attack, how are passwords typically guessed?
- By trying all possible combinations systematically
- By using precomputed hash tables
- By guessing based on user information or common words
- By exploiting software vulnerabilities
In a dictionary attack, passwords are typically guessed by guessing based on user information or common words.
3. What is the primary weakness of a brute force password attack?
- Requires access to precomputed hash tables
- Inability to guess complex passwords
- Time-consuming and resource-intensive
- Easily detected and blocked by security measures
The primary weakness of a brute force password attack is that it is time-consuming and resource-intensive.
4. How does a rainbow table attack differ from a brute force attack?
- Rainbow table attacks are faster due to precomputed hash tables
- Brute force attacks are faster due to systematic password guessing
- Both use the same technique of trying all possible combinations
- Rainbow table attacks are less prone to detection
Rainbow table attacks are faster than brute force attacks due to the use of precomputed hash tables.
5. What is the purpose of salting passwords in the context of password security?
- Enhancing password complexity
- Making passwords longer and more secure
- Preventing the use of rainbow table attacks
- Encrypting passwords during transmission
Salting passwords prevents the use of rainbow table attacks by adding unique values to each password before hashing.
6. What is the primary advantage of using multi-factor authentication (MFA) in preventing password attacks?
- Eliminates the need for passwords
- Increases the complexity of passwords
- Requires users to change passwords frequently
- Adds an additional layer of verification beyond passwords
The primary advantage of using multi-factor authentication (MFA) is that it adds an additional layer of verification beyond passwords.
7. What is a phishing attack, and how does it relate to password security?
- Gaining unauthorized access through software vulnerabilities
- Intercepting communication channels to capture passwords
- Deceiving users into revealing their passwords
- Guessing passwords based on user information
A phishing attack involves deceiving users into revealing their passwords, emphasizing the importance of user awareness for password security.
8. How does a credential stuffing attack differ from a brute force attack?
- Credential stuffing attacks target password hashes
- Brute force attacks use precomputed hash tables
- Credential stuffing attacks reuse known username/password pairs
- Brute force attacks involve systematically guessing all possible combinations
Credential stuffing attacks reuse known username/password pairs obtained from previous data breaches.
9. What is the purpose of rate limiting in preventing password attacks?
- Encouraging users to change passwords frequently
- Slowing down the pace of password guessing attempts
- Increasing the complexity of password requirements
- Encrypting passwords during transmission
Rate limiting slows down the pace of password guessing attempts, making brute force attacks less effective.
10. How does social engineering relate to password attacks?
- Involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain access
- Targets users to manipulate them into revealing passwords
- Uses precomputed hash tables to crack passwords
- Requires intercepting communication channels to capture passwords
Social engineering involves manipulating users into revealing passwords, highlighting the human factor in password security.
11. What is the primary goal of a rainbow table attack?
- Gaining unauthorized access by exploiting software vulnerabilities
- Cracking passwords by trying all possible combinations
- Intercepting communication channels to capture passwords
- Quickly cracking hashed passwords using precomputed tables
The primary goal of a rainbow table attack is to quickly crack hashed passwords using precomputed tables.
12. How can strong password policies contribute to password security?
- By making passwords shorter and easier to remember
- By enforcing regular password changes
- By allowing the use of common words and phrases
- By eliminating the need for password complexity
Strong password policies contribute to password security by enforcing regular password changes.
13. In the context of password security, what is the purpose of account lockout mechanisms?
- Encouraging users to change passwords frequently
- Slowing down the pace of password guessing attempts
- Preventing users from using weak passwords
- Locking out accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts
Account lockout mechanisms lock out accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts, preventing brute force attacks.
14. What is the significance of using unique passwords for different online accounts?
- Simplifies the password management process
- Eliminates the need for password complexity
- Reduces the likelihood of credential stuffing attacks
- Allows users to easily share passwords across accounts
Using unique passwords for different online accounts reduces the likelihood of credential stuffing attacks.
15. How does a brute force attack differ from a dictionary attack?
- Brute force attacks use precomputed hash tables
- Dictionary attacks involve systematically guessing passwords
- Both use the same technique of trying all possible combinations
- Brute force attacks guess passwords based on user information
Brute force attacks guess passwords based on user information, while dictionary attacks involve systematically guessing passwords.
16. What is the primary weakness of relying solely on username and password authentication?
- Vulnerability to phishing attacks
- Limited scalability for large user bases
- Complexity in managing user credentials
- Susceptibility to credential stuffing attacks
The primary weakness of relying solely on username and password authentication is susceptibility to credential stuffing attacks.
17. How can CAPTCHA contribute to preventing automated password attacks?
- By adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors
- By slowing down the pace of password guessing attempts
- By preventing the use of precomputed hash tables
- By distinguishing between humans and automated bots
CAPTCHA contributes to preventing automated password attacks by distinguishing between humans and automated bots.
18. What is the purpose of password hashing in password security?
- Encrypting passwords during transmission
- Storing passwords in plaintext for quick access
- Protecting passwords from unauthorized access
- Increasing the complexity of password requirements
Password hashing in password security protects passwords from unauthorized access by converting them into irreversible hashes.
19. How does a shoulder surfing attack pose a threat to password security?
- Exploits software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access
- Involves capturing passwords during transmission
- Requires guessing passwords based on user information
- Involves observing users entering passwords in public places
A shoulder surfing attack involves observing users entering passwords in public places, posing a threat to password security.
20. What is the primary purpose of two-factor authentication (2FA) in password security?
- Eliminating the need for passwords
- Increasing the complexity of passwords
- Adding an additional layer of verification beyond passwords
- Encrypting passwords during transmission
The primary purpose of two-factor authentication (2FA) in password security is to add an additional layer of verification beyond passwords.
21. How does a rainbow table attack work in cracking hashed passwords?
- By trying all possible combinations systematically
- By using precomputed hash tables to find matching hashes
- By guessing passwords based on user information
- By intercepting communication channels to capture passwords
A rainbow table attack works by using precomputed hash tables to find matching hashes for cracked passwords.
22. What is the primary weakness of using easily guessable passwords for authentication?
- Increased susceptibility to phishing attacks
- Low implementation cost of password security
- Vulnerability to brute force and dictionary attacks
- Complexity in managing user credentials
The primary weakness of using easily guessable passwords is vulnerability to brute force and dictionary attacks.
23. How does keylogging pose a threat to password security?
- By adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors
- By intercepting communication channels to capture passwords
- By preventing the use of precomputed hash tables
- By exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access
Keylogging poses a threat to password security by intercepting communication channels to capture passwords entered by users.
24. What is the purpose of password managers in enhancing password security?
- Increasing the complexity of password requirements
- Eliminating the need for password complexity
- Storing and managing unique, complex passwords for users
- Preventing users from using easily guessable passwords
Password managers enhance password security by storing and managing unique, complex passwords for users.
25. How does biometric authentication contribute to password security?
- By adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors
- By eliminating the need for passwords
- By providing an additional layer of identity verification
- By encrypting passwords during transmission
Biometric authentication contributes to password security by providing an additional layer of identity verification.
26. What is the primary advantage of using passphrases over traditional passwords?
- Increased susceptibility to brute force attacks
- Simplicity in memorization and usage
- Complexity in managing user credentials
- Higher entropy and resistance to dictionary attacks
The primary advantage of using passphrases is their higher entropy and resistance to dictionary attacks.
27. How does the use of SMS-based authentication contribute to password security?
- By preventing the use of precomputed hash tables
- By encrypting passwords during transmission
- By eliminating the need for passwords
- By providing a one-time passcode for verification
SMS-based authentication contributes to password security by providing a one-time passcode for verification.
28. How does a man-in-the-middle attack pose a threat to password security?
- By guessing passwords based on user information
- By exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access
- By intercepting communication channels to capture passwords
- By adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors
A man-in-the-middle attack poses a threat to password security by intercepting communication channels to capture passwords.
29. What is the primary purpose of the "Forgot Password" feature in authentication systems?
- To encourage users to change passwords frequently
- To provide a quick and convenient method of identity verification
- To recover access to accounts in case of forgotten passwords
- To eliminate the need for password complexity
The "Forgot Password" feature in authentication systems allows users to recover access to accounts in case of forgotten passwords.
30. How does account enumeration pose a security risk in password security?
- By adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors
- By quickly identifying valid user accounts for potential attacks
- By eliminating the need for password complexity
- By encrypting passwords during transmission
Account enumeration poses a security risk by quickly identifying valid user accounts, providing valuable information for potential attacks.
