Networks and Security

Question 1

How is Transmission media measured?

Answer 1

speed, mobility and reliability

Question 2

What are some characteristics of Fibre Optic Cables?

Answer 2

Long distances, speed of light, no sharp corners, expensive, need specialists
to install

Question 3

What are some characteristics of Twisted Pair Cables?

Answer 3

no more than 100-200m, cheap, easy to install

Question 4

What are some characteristics of Radio Waves?

Answer 4

radial, broadcasts out from central point, can travel through objects
(includes wifi and Bluetooth)

Question 5

What are some characteristics of Microwaves?

Answer 5

narrow line of sight (think laser beam), can’t travel through obstructions
(buildings, hills, people, fog). Need to move base if receiver not in range)

Question 6

What are some characteristics of Satellite?

Answer 6

uses satellite technology

Question 7

What are some characteristics of Infrared?

Answer 7

– much lower frequency to the others, very short distance, direct line of sight
required. Very outdated – only used now for remote controls (TV etc)

Question 8

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Wired Transmission?

Answer 8

A: Cheap, Easy to set up, Security, Fast
D: Limited to data points installed, No portability

Question 9

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Wired Transmission?

Answer 9

A: Mobile, Add nodes/devices easily, Cheaper in the long run, Can be used to attract customers
D: Expensive initial setup, Security, Slower, Limited range, slower the further away, Obstacles (walls, water, crowds…) hinder access

Question 10

What are some examples of Wired Transmission?

Answer 10

Fibre Optic, Twisted Pair

Question 11

What are some examples of Wireless Transmission?

Answer 11

Radio Waves, Microwave, Satellite, Infrared

Question 12

What is a NOS?

Answer 12

Network Operating Software, oversees and runs the network, can be given the
task of prioritising access/putting requests into print queues etc

Question 13

What is a Firewall?

Answer 13

A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorised access to or from a private network.

Question 14

What is a Modem?

Answer 14

A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data.

Question 15

What is a Router?

Answer 15

A Router is an electronic device that joins multiple computer networks together via either wired or wireless connections.

Question 16

What is a Hub?

Answer 16

A Hub is a device that will send signals to all connected devices, only correct one will accept
signal… lots of clashes. NEVER RECOMMEND

Question 17

What is a Switch?

Answer 17

A Switch is a device that will only send a signal to the correct device, not all of them like the ‘HUB’

Question 18

What is a Node?

Answer 18

A network node is a connection point that can receive, create, store or send data along distributed network routes

Question 19

What is a Server?

Answer 19

A server is a computer program or a device that provides functionality for other programs or devices.

Question 20

What are examples of Deliberate Threats to a Network?

Answer 20

o Worm – self-replicating, no human intervention required to spread
o Trojan – hidden in another file (often in media, software)
o Spyware – malware (malicious software) that can key log, track activity etc
o Hackers
o Malicious employees
o Theft of computers/servers

Question 21

What are examples of Accidental Threats to a Network?

Answer 21

o Technical Problems (disk failure, corruption)
o Power Issues (Blackout, Brownout, Power Surges -> can be resolved with a Uninterruptable power supply)
o Incompetent users (Accidental Deletion, Poor file management)

Question 22

What are examples of Events-based Threats to a Network?

Answer 22

fire, flood, earthquake, dog chewing cables, a truck crashing through the back wall into the server

Question 23

If Threats are evident, what will they impact?

Answer 23

Data integrity
Data security (opens up to legal and company survival issues)

Question 24

What are examples of Physical Security Controls?

Answer 24

o Equipment - includes zoned areas, barriers (eg locks), biometrics
o Procedures – backups, shredding documents, checking credentials

Question 25

What are examples of Software Security Controls?

Answer 25

Username (for identification and hierarchical access) and password (secure)
o Access logs, audit trails
o Encryption
o Firewalls
o Protocols (Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL))

Question 26

What is Security?

Answer 26

Security is making sure only authorised people to have access to files. In reference to File management, Hierarchical access is a good start. Ways to test:
o audit trail – records changes to software
o access log – records what users open, download, which sites they visit

Question 27

What is Archiving?

Answer 27

Archiving is storing files in another location. This location is harder to get to and is not for everyday use items

Question 28

What is Backing Up?

Answer 28

Backing up is creating other copies of data stored elsewhere in case something happens to the original data

Question 29

What is Disposal?

Answer 29

Disposal is deleting the files permanently. This involves placing in the trash, emptying trash,
defragmenting the drive several times and using speciality rewriting software for top-secret files.