Interview Q's Flashcards
Explain what a VPN is and why one would want to use one
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology that allows you to create a secure and encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the internet
Privacy Protection: VPNs hide your IP address
Remote Work: VPNs enable employees to securely access their company’s internal network and resources from remote locations
Anonymous Browsing
Explain what DNS is to someone with little technical knowledge
DNS, or Domain Name System, is like a phonebook for the internet.DNS acts as the translator between the easy-to-remember names we use for websites and the numerical IP addresses
Imagine you want to call your friend, but you don’t have their phone number. Instead, you know their name. You look up their number in the phonebook, which acts like DNS in this analogy. The phonebook translates your friend’s name (the website address) into their actual phone number (the IP address), allowing you to connect and talk to them.
Explain how you would troubleshoot a user unable to access the internet.
1 Verify Physical Connections:
2 Check Other Devices:
3 Restart the Device:
4 Restart the Router/Modem:
5 Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength:
6 Review Network Settings:
7 Check Firewall/Antivirus Settings:
8. Update Network Drivers:
9. Run Network Diagnostics:
Explain how you would troubleshoot a user unable to access Outlook
1 Check the Internet Connection
2 Verify Outlook Status
3. Restart Outlook
4 Check Email Account Configuration: such as user, password, inco and outg server settings are correct
5 Password Reset
6 Review Error Messages:
7 Check Account Status: making sure they are not locked or suspended
8 Update Outlook
Explain how you would troubleshoot a user unable to print
Troubleshooting printing issues involves checking various components, including printer connections, software configurations, and hardware settings
1 Check Printer Connectivity:
2. Printer Status: error messages, lights, paper jams, etc
3. check the print queue
4. Restart printer
5 Check Printer Connections:
6 update drivers
7 Paper and Ink/Toner Levels:
8 Print a Test Page:
Explain what Event Viewer is and how one gets to it
Event Viewer is a built-in Windows utility that allows users to view and analyze system events, logs, and error messages on a Windows operating system. It provides detailed information about system events, application and system errors, security events, and other diagnostic information.
Using the Start Menu
Using the Run Dialog: Windows + R and type eventvwr
Using Control Panel: system tools
Shortcut on Taskbar:
Explain how you would help someone find files that suddenly disappeared/accidentally hidden.
- Check Recycle Bin
- Search for the Files: file explorer/ spotlight for mac search bar up top
- Show Hidden Files
- Check File History (Windows): “Restore previous versions,”
5 Check Time Machine (macOS):
6 Check Temporary and System Folders: (Windows: %TEMP%, macOS: /tmp/)
7 Use File Recovery Software:
Explain what Device Manager is and how one gets to it
Device Manager is a built-in Windows utility that allows users to view and manage the hardware devices connected to their computer. It provides a centralized interface to access information about installed hardware components, update drivers, troubleshoot device issues, and control various device settings.
Method 1: Using the Start Menu/Search Bar
Method 2: Using the Run Dialog: Windows key + R then type “devmgmt.msc”
Method 3: Using Control Panel in system and security
you can Update Drivers
Disable/Enable Devices:
Uninstall Drivers:
Check Properties:
Scan for Hardware Changes:
Explain how you would make file extensions visible in File Explorer
For Windows 10 and Windows 11: Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E or clicking on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar.
Click on the “View” tab in the File Explorer menu bar. If you don’t see the menu bar, you can press the Alt key to reveal it temporarily.
In the “Show” group, check the box next to “File name extensions.”
Explain what Task Manager is, what can you use it for/to do, how you access it
Task Manager is a built-in utility in Windows that provides information about the processes and applications running on your computer
Viewing Running Processes:
Monitoring System Performance:
Ending Processes:
Checking Startup Programs:
Checking Network Activity
Analyzing Performance Metrics:
How to access Task Manager:
Using Keyboard Shortcut:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager directly.
Using Right-Click on the Taskbar:
Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager.”
Using Ctrl + Alt + Delete:
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and then choose “Task Manager” from the menu.
Using Search:
Type “Task Manager” in the search bar on the taskbar, and select the “Task Manager” app from the search results.
Regarding IP addresses, define DHCP vs static, and explain the benefits of each/why one might want or NOT want to use one or the other
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): DHCP is a network protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices within a network. It dynamically allocates IP addresses and other network configuration information to devices when they connect to the network.
Simplicity:
Efficiency:
Centralized Control: Network administrators can centrally manage and monitor IP address assignments
Static IP Addresses:
Definition: A static IP address is manually assigned to a device and does not change unless explicitly modified by an administrator. Each device on the network has a fixed, predefined IP address.
Stability:
Security:
Control:
DHCP is typically preferred for:
Networks with frequently changing devices or configurations.
Environments where simplicity and automation are prioritized.
Static IP addresses are preferred for:
Servers, network devices, or printers that require consistent addresses for accessibility.
Environments with specific security requirements where only known devices should connect.
