Free Practice Questions for CREST CPTIA Exam

Alice, looking to gather information on emerging threats including attack methods, tools, and post-attack techniques, should turn to hacking forums. These online platforms are frequented by cybercriminals and security researchers alike, where information on the latest exploits, malware, and hacking techniques is shared and discussed. Hacking forums can provide real-time insights into the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by threat actors, offering a valuable resource for threat intelligence analysts aiming to enhance their organization's defenses.References:

"Hacking Forums: A Ground for Cyber Threat Intelligence," by Digital Shadows

"The Value of Hacking Forums for Threat Intelligence," by Flashpoint

The vulnerability exploited by Clark through tampering with form and parameter values to gain unauthorized access to information assets is indicative of Broken Access Control. Broken Access Control vulnerabilities occur when a web application does not properly enforce restrictions on what authenticated users are allowed to do. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to access unauthorized functionality or data, such as accessing other users' accounts, viewing sensitive files, and modifying other users’ data.

Process memory (RAM) is a type of digital evidence that is temporarily stored and requires a constant power supply to retain information. If the power supply is interrupted, the information stored in process memory is lost. This type of evidence can include data about running programs, user actions, system events, and more, making it crucial for forensic analysis, especially in identifying actions taken by both users and malware. Collecting data from process memory helps incident responders understand the state of the system at the time of an incident and can reveal valuable information that is not persisted elsewhere on the device.

References:Incident handling and response training, such as the CREST CPTIA program, emphasize the importance of collecting and analyzing volatile data, including process memory, to effectively investigate and respond to cybersecurity incidents.

Autopsy is a digital forensics platform and graphical interface to The Sleuth Kit and other digital forensics tools. It is used by law enforcement, military, and corporate examiners to investigate what happened on a computer. Autopsy enables incident handlers to view the file system, retrieve deleted data, perform timeline analysis, and analyze web artifacts, among other functionalities. This tool is particularly useful during the incident response process for conducting in-depth investigations into the nature of a security incident, identifying the methods used by attackers, and recovering lost or compromised data.

References:The EC-Council's Certified Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) program covers digital forensic tools and techniques, highlighting the capabilities of Autopsy for supporting comprehensive incident investigations and response activities.

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Splunk is a powerful tool for log analysis, capable of collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data from various sources in real time. For an incident handler like Drake, intending to detect traces of malicious activities within the network infrastructure, Splunk can efficiently parse large volumes of log data, enabling the identification of patterns and anomalies that may indicate malware propagation or other security incidents. Its real-time analysis capabilities make it an ideal tool for monitoring network activities and responding to incidents promptly.

Incapsula is a cloud-based application delivery platform that offers a comprehensive security solution, including protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. By providing DDoS mitigation services, Incapsula helps protect websites and online services from being overwhelmed by traffic intended to make the resource unavailable to its intended users. The platform filters out malicious traffic and allows legitimate traffic through, thus ensuring that the organization's online resources remain available even under attack.

References:The CREST CPTIA curriculum includes discussions on various tools and strategies for protecting organizations against DoS/DDoS attacks, highlighting the importance of incorporating services like Incapsula into an organization's cybersecurity defenses to mitigate the risk and impact of such attacks.

An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) device placed inline is best suited to block attacks on a network actively. Being inline allows the IPS to analyze and take action on the traffic as it passes through the device, effectively preventing malicious traffic from reaching its target. The IPS can detect and block a wide range of attacks in real-time by using various detection methods, such as signature-based detection, anomaly detection, and policy-based detection. Unlike Host-based Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS), web proxies, or load balancers, an inline IPS is specifically designed to inspect and act on incoming and outgoing network traffic to prevent attacks before they reach network devices or applications.References:The Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) certification materials discuss network security controls and emphasize the role of intrusion prevention systems in protecting networks against threats.

The attack described, where multiple connection requests from different geo-locations are received by a server within a short time span leading to stress and reduced performance, is indicative of a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack. In a DDoS attack, the attacker floods the target's resources (such as a server) with excessive requests from multiple sources, making it difficult for the server to handle legitimate traffic, leading to degradation or outright unavailability of service. The use of multiple geo-locations for the attack sources is a common characteristic of DDoS attacks, making them harder to mitigate.References:

"Understanding Denial-of-Service Attacks," US-CERT

"DDoS Quick Guide," DHS/NCCIC

Anti-forensics refers to techniques used to hinder the forensic analysis of a computer system. By hiding files in slack space, changing file headers, embedding suspicious files in executables, and altering metadata, BadGuy Bob is attempting to make it difficult for forensic analysts to find, analyze, and attribute the malicious activities and data on his laptop. These actions are designed to conceal evidence, manipulate digital artifacts, and obstruct investigations, making them clear examples of anti-forensic techniques. While such actions could be part of broader criminal activities, constituting a felony, and could be seen as adversarial mechanics or legal hostility in specific contexts, the most accurate classification of these techniques is anti-forensics.References:The CREST program includes discussions on forensic analysis and the challenges posed by anti-forensic techniques, teaching incident handlers how to recognize and counteract attempts to obstruct investigations.

Incorporating a scoring feature in a Threat Intelligence (TI) platform allows SecurityTech Inc. to evaluate and prioritize intelligence sources, threat actors, specific types of attacks, and the organization's digital assets based on their relevance and threat level to the organization. This prioritization helps in allocating resources more effectively, focusing on protecting critical assets and countering the most significant threats. A scoring system can be based on various criteria such as the severity of threats, the value of assets, the reliability of intelligence sources, and the potential impact of threat actors or attack vectors. By quantifying these elements, SecurityTech Inc. can make informed decisions on where to invest its limited funds to enhance its security posture most effectively.References:

"Designing and Building a Cyber Threat Intelligence Capability" by the SANS Institute

"Threat Intelligence: What It Is, and How to Use It Effectively" by Gartner