The SecOps Group CNSP Exam Practice Test Instant Access

Question 1

In the context of a Unix-based system, where does a daemon process execute in the memory?

AKernel space

BUser space

Answer : B

In Unix-based systems, memory is divided into two primary regions: kernel space and user space, each serving distinct purposes for process execution and system stability.

Why B is correct: Daemon processes are background services (e.g., sshd, cron) that run with elevated privileges but operate in user space. User space is the memory area allocated for user applications and processes, isolated from kernel space to prevent direct hardware access or system crashes. CNSP highlights that daemons run in user space to maintain system integrity, interacting with the kernel via system calls.

Why other option is incorrect:

A . Kernel space: Kernel space is reserved for the operating system kernel and device drivers, which have unrestricted access to hardware. Running daemons in kernel space would pose significant security and stability risks, and it is not the standard practice in Unix systems.

Question 2

What is the response from an open UDP port which is not behind a firewall?

AICMP message showing Port Unreachable

BNo response

CA SYN packet

DA FIN packet

Answer : B

UDP's connectionless nature means it lacks inherent acknowledgment mechanisms, affecting its port response behavior.

Why B is correct: An open UDP port does not respond unless an application explicitly sends a reply. Without a firewall or application response, the sender receives no feedback, per CNSP scanning guidelines.

Why other options are incorrect:

A: ICMP Port Unreachable indicates a closed port, not an open one.

C: SYN packets are TCP-specific, not UDP.

D: FIN packets are also TCP-specific.

Question 3

Which one of the following is a phishing email?

AOnly A

BOnly B

CBoth A and B

DNone of the above
Explanation:

The screenshot shows an email labeled 'B' with the subject 'Verify your email address' purportedly from Apple. To determine if this is a phishing email, we need to analyze its content and characteristics against common phishing indicators as outlined in CNSP documentation. Since option A is not provided in the screenshot, we will evaluate email B and infer the context for A.
Analysis of Email B:
Sender and Branding: The email claims to be from 'Apple Support' and includes an Apple logo, which is a common tactic to establish trust. However, phishing emails often impersonate legitimate brands like Apple to deceive users.
Subject and Content: The subject 'Verify your email address' and the body requesting the user to verify their email by clicking a link ('Verify Your Email') are typical of phishing attempts. Legitimate companies like Apple may send verification emails, but the tone and context here raise suspicion.
Link Presence: The email contains a clickable link ('Verify Your Email') that is purportedly for email verification. The screenshot does not show the URL, but phishing emails often include malicious links that lead to fake login pages to steal credentials. CNSP emphasizes that unsolicited requests to click links for verification are a red flag.
Urgency and Vague Instructions: The email includes a statement, 'If you did not make this change or believe an unauthorized person has accessed your account, click here to cancel and secure your account.' This creates a sense of urgency, a common phishing tactic to prompt immediate action without critical thinking.
Generic Greeting: The email starts with 'Dear User,' a generic greeting often used in phishing emails. Legitimate companies like Apple typically personalize emails with the user's name.
Suspicious Elements: The email mentions 'your Apple ID (example@icloud.com),' which is a placeholder rather than a specific email address, further indicating a mass phishing campaign rather than a targeted, legitimate communication.
Phishing Indicators (per CNSP):
CNSP documentation on phishing identification lists several red flags:
Unsolicited requests for verification or account updates.
Generic greetings (e.g., 'Dear User' instead of a personalized name).
Presence of links that may lead to malicious sites (not verifiable in the screenshot but implied).
Urgency or threats (e.g., 'click here to cancel and secure your account').
Impersonation of trusted brands (e.g., Apple).
Email B exhibits multiple indicators: the generic greeting, unsolicited verification request, urgent call to action, and impersonation of Apple.
Option A Context:
Since the screenshot only shows email B, and the correct answer is 'Only B,' we can infer that email A (not shown) does not exhibit phishing characteristics. For example, A might be a legitimate email from Apple with proper personalization, no suspicious links, or a different context (e.g., a purchase confirmation rather than a verification request).
Evaluation of Options:
1. Only A: Incorrect, as email A is not shown, and the correct answer indicates B as the phishing email.
2. Only B: Correct. Email B shows clear phishing characteristics, such as impersonation, a generic greeting, an unsolicited verification link, and urgency, aligning with CNSP's phishing criteria.
3. Both A and B: Incorrect, as A is implied to be non-phishing based on the correct answer.
4. None of the above: Incorrect, as B is a phishing email.
Conclusion: Email B is a phishing email due to its impersonation of Apple, generic greeting, unsolicited verification request with a link, and use of urgency to prompt action. Since A is not shown but implied to be non-phishing, the correct answer is 'Only B.'

Answer : B

Question 4

What is the response from a closed UDP port which is not behind a firewall?

AICMP message showing Destination Unreachable

BA RST packet

CNo response

DNone of the above

Answer : A

UDP is a connectionless protocol, and its behavior when a packet reaches a port depends on whether the port is open or closed. Without a firewall altering the response, the standard protocol applies.

Why A is correct: When a UDP packet is sent to a closed port, the host typically responds with an ICMP Type 3 (Destination Unreachable), Code 3 (Port Unreachable) message, indicating no service is listening. CNSP notes this as a key indicator in port scanning.

Why other options are incorrect:

B: RST packets are TCP-specific, not used in UDP.

C: No response occurs for open UDP ports unless an application replies, not closed ports.

D: A is correct, so 'none of the above' is invalid.

Question 5

What is the response from a closed TCP port which is not behind a firewall?

AICMP message showing Port Unreachable

BA FIN and an ACK packet

CA RST and an ACK packet

DA SYN and an ACK packet

Answer : C

TCP uses a structured handshake, and its response to a connection attempt on a closed port follows a specific protocol when unobstructed by a firewall.

Why C is correct: A closed TCP port responds with a RST (Reset) and ACK (Acknowledgment) packet to terminate the connection attempt immediately. CNSP highlights this as a key scanning indicator.

Why other options are incorrect:

A: ICMP Port Unreachable is for UDP, not TCP.

B: FIN/ACK is for closing active connections, not rejecting new ones.

D: SYN/ACK indicates an open port during the TCP handshake.

Question 6

Which one of the following services is not a UDP-based protocol?

ASNMP

BNTP

CIKE

DSSH

Answer : D

Protocols are defined by their transport layer usage (TCP or UDP), impacting their security and performance characteristics.

Why D is correct: SSH (Secure Shell) uses TCP (port 22) for reliable, connection-oriented communication, unlike the UDP-based options. CNSP contrasts TCP and UDP protocol security.

Why other options are incorrect:

A: SNMP uses UDP (ports 161, 162) for lightweight network management.

B: NTP uses UDP (port 123) for time synchronization.

C: IKE (IPsec key exchange) uses UDP (ports 500, 4500).

Question 7

What kind of files are "Dotfiles" in a Linux-based architecture?

ALibrary files

BDriver files

CSystem files

DHidden files

Answer : D

In Linux, file visibility is determined by naming conventions, impacting how files are listed or accessed in the file system.

Why D is correct: 'Dotfiles' are files or directories with names starting with a dot (e.g., .bashrc), making them hidden by default in directory listings (e.g., ls requires -a to show them). They are commonly used for user configuration, as per CNSP's Linux security overview.

Why other options are incorrect:

A: Library files (e.g., in /lib) aren't inherently hidden.

B: Driver files (e.g., kernel modules in /lib/modules) aren't dotfiles by convention.

C: System files may or may not be hidden; 'dotfiles' specifically denotes hidden status.

The SecOps Group CNSP Certified Network Security Practitioner Exam Practice Test