Top 45+ Network Security Interview Questions and Answers

If you are looking for a job as a network security engineer or a network administrator, you must familiarize yourself with a set of network security interview questions and answers. Having a good knowledge of frequently asked network security interview questions will help you present yourself as a proficient candidate with an in-depth understanding of the subject. This post will help you face any questions asked during the interview.

 

Network security is an activity that enables the protection of information shared among computers on the network. The main responsibility of a network security professional is to procure, set up, and maintain hardware and software systems designed to ensure network security. They safeguard the business from threats and protect sensitive data like confidential business materials and personal information.

Network security jobs have become one of the most in-demand jobs in the IT industry. With demand, there is also competition, and to get a job in the field of network security, you need to be one of the best. Here are the top network security interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your network security interview. 

Table of Contents

• Top Network Security Interview Questions
• Firewall Interview Questions
• DDoS Attack Interview Questions
• Ransomware Interview Questions
• Malware Interview Questions
• Phishing Interview Questions
• VPN Interview Questions
• Shadow IT Interview Questions

Top Network Security Interview Questions

Q1. Define protocol.

Ans. It is a set of rules that govern all aspects of information communication.

Q2. What are the different layers of OSI?

Ans. The different layers of OSI are:

• Data Link layer
• Transport layer
• Application layer
• Session layer
• Presentation layer

Q3. Explain pipelining.

Ans. When a task has begun before the previous task has ended is called Pipelining.

Q4. What is the difference between hub and switch?

Ans. A hub is a networking device that connects multiple computers together, while a switch is a control unit that turns the flow of electricity in a circuit.

Must Read – Difference Between Hub And Switch

Q5. Which layers are referred to as network support layers?

Ans. The following layers are referred to as network support layers

• Data Link layer
• Physical layer
• Network layer

Q6. Define simplex with an example.

Ans. A type of communication in which data is transmitted in one direction is known as simplex. Example: Monitor

Q7. What is RIP?

Ans. RIP stands for Routing Information Protocol, a simple protocol used to exchange information between routers.

Q8. What are the factors that affect the performance of the network?

Ans. The factors that affect the performance of the network are:

• Type of transmission media
• Software
• Number of users
• Hardware

Q9. What is the difference between a wired LAN and a wireless LAN?

Ans. Wired LAN used Ethernet devices like router, hub, and switch, while wireless LAN uses devices like MiFi router and WLAN router.

Q10. Name some user support layers.

Ans. Some of the user support layers are:

• Application layer
• Presentation layer
• Session layer

Q11. What is the use of TCP in IP packets?

Ans. TCP is an acronym of the transmission control protocol. It is used as a communications protocol in a private network.

Q12. Name the types of errors in data communication over a network.

Ans. There are two types of errors:

• Single bit error
• Burst error

Also Read>> Top CCNA Interview Questions & Answers

Q13. What is ALOHA?

Ans. ALOHA is a system for coordinating and arbitrating access to a shared communication network channel. It is often used to solve the channel allocation issue. Two types of ALOHA are:

• Pure Aloha
• Slotted Aloha

Q14. Which protocols use the application layer?

Ans. The protocols that use the application layer are:

• SMTP
• DNS
• TELNET
• FTP

Q15. What is an intranet?

Ans. It is a private network based on TCP/IP protocols accessible only by the company’s members or someone authorized.

Q16. What are the steps involved in creating the checksum?

Ans. The following steps are involved in creating the checksum:

• Divide the data into sections
• Add the sections together using 1’s complement arithmetic
• Take the complement of the final sum

Q17. What are the different types of network security tools?

Ans. The different types of network security tools are:

• Access control
• Antivirus and antimalware software
• Application security 
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
• Email security
• Firewalls
• Intrusion prevention systems
• Mobile device security
• Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS)
• Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS)
• Behavioral analytics
• Network segmentation
• Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• Web security
• Wireless security

Q18. Explain the basic working of network security.

Ans. Network security is an activity designed to protect the usability and integrity of the network and data. It includes both hardware and software technologies and targets a variety of threats. It combines various layers of defences at the edge and in the network. Every network security layer implements distinct policies and controls. While authorized users gain access to network resources, malicious or unauthorized agents are blocked from carrying out exploits and threats.

Q19. What is the meaning of AAA in network security?

Ans. AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting. It refers to the protocols that mediate network access. It is a framework to control user access, implement policies, and keep track of all activities in the network. Two network protocols provide AAA functionality, namely, Radius and Diameter.

• Authentication ascertains whether a user is legitimate to use the system and the network or not. It requires a login and password.
• Authorization refers to access control rights. It means that every user on the network can access only certain data and information, depending on his/her level in the organization.
• Accounting helps in gathering all activity on the network for each use.

Q20. What are the different methods of user authentication?

Ans. Some of the common user authentication methods are:

• Biometric Authentication
• Password Authentication Protocol (PAP)
• Authentication Token

Q21. What is IPS in network security?

Ans. IPS stands for Intrusion Prevention System. It is also known as Intrusion Detection Prevention System (IDPS). IPS focuses on tracking the network for any suspicious or malicious activities attempting to exploit a known vulnerability. It identifies such activity and then either detects and allows (IDS) or prevents (IPS) the threat. Some of the approaches to prevent intrusions are signature-based, protocol-based, anomaly-based, and policy-based IPS.

The IPS reports such events to system administrators and takes preventative action, such as closing access points and configuring firewalls to prevent future attacks.

Q22. What are the potential consequences of a network security attack for an organization?

Ans. A network security attack can result in irreversible damage to the organization. Some of the potential outcomes of a network security attack are: 

• Loss of sensitive information and proprietary data
• Reduction profits
• Loss of value with shareholders
• Loss of reputation
• Deterioration of brand value
• Reduced trust with customers

Q23. What are the Administrator Privileges? Why are they required while trying to install a download?

Ans. Administrative Privileges refer to the permissions granted by administrators to users. These privileges enable them to create, delete, and modify items and settings. 

Without administrative privileges, we cannot perform many system modifications, such as installing software or changing network settings. If we don’t have administrator privileges, we may be able to use a program but not upgrade it.

Also Read>> Top Security Courses For IT Professionals

Q24. What is network encryption? How does it work?

Ans. Network encryption is encrypting or encoding data and messages transmitted over a computer network. It includes various tools, techniques, and standards to ensure that the messages are unreadable and transmitted between two or more network nodes.

Network encryption helps maintain the confidentiality of information transmitted over a network by making it difficult for unauthorized agents to have the information and understand it or get anything useful from it if they intercept the information in transit. Each message is sent in an encrypted form and is decrypted and converted back into its original form at the recipient’s end using encryption/decryption keys.

Q25. What do you mean by the CIA Triad?

Ans. CIA stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. CIA or CIA Triad is a popular model designed to maintain privacy policies for information security in organizations. Security professionals evaluate threats after assessing their potential impact on the organisation’s assets’ confidentiality, integrity, and availability. A network is secure only when it possesses the CIA Triad components.

• Confidentiality refers to an organization’s efforts to keep its data private or secret. Thus, only authorised people have access to specific assets, while unauthorised people are prevented from accessing them.
• Integrity refers to ensuring that data is authentic and reliable. Also, it has not been tampered with.
• Availability refers to ensuring that systems, applications, and data are up and running; and authorized users can access resources when needed.

Now let’s take a look at some Firewall-related Network Security interview questions.

Firewall Interview Questions

Q26. What are the benefits of a firewall?

Ans. The benefits of firewalls are: 

• Monitors network traffic
• Enhances Privacy
• Stops Spyware
• Prevents hacking
• Inhibits virus attacks

Q27. What is a Proxy firewall?

Ans. A Proxy Firewall is an early type of firewall device that serves as the gateway from one network to another for a specific application. It protects network resources by filtering messages at the application layer. The firewall proxy server operates at the application layer through the proxy. This is done by creating and running a process on the firewall that mirrors a service as if running on the end host.

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Q28. What is a UTM firewall?

Ans. A Unified threat management (UTM) firewall is a hardware or software device that assembles different security functions, like a proxy, packet filtering, intrusion detection and prevention systems, protection against malware, application control, and more.

Q29. Explain Stateful Inspection.

Ans. Also known as dynamic packet filtering, Stateful Inspection is a firewall technology that monitors the state of active network connections. It keeps track of all activities right from the opening of a connection until it is closed. It allows or blocks traffic based on state, port, and protocol by utilizing the information regarding active connections.

Q30. Why does an Active FTP not work with network firewalls?

Ans. Initiated a connection with the FTP server and established two TCP connections. The second TCP connection (FTP data connection) initiates and establishes from the FTP server. A firewall between the FTP client and server will block the connection initiated from the FTP server because it is a connection initiated from outside. Thus, Passive FTP can be used or the firewall rule can be modified to add the FTP server as trusted.

DDoS Attack Interview Questions

Q31. What is a DDoS attack?

Ans. A DDoS or Distributed-Denial-of-Service attack is a cyber-attack in which the central server is continuously flooded with frequent data requests. Such attacks intend to disrupt the target system and business. In a DDoS attack, the hackers make a network resource (a website or computer system) unavailable to its users by disrupting the services of a host connected to the Internet. It is done by flooding or crashing the website with too much traffic.

Q32. What are the types of DDoS attacks?

Ans. There are three basic categories of DDoS attacks are:

• Volume-based attacks – they use high traffic to overload the network bandwidth
• Protocol attacks – their objective is to exploit server resources
• Application attacks – they focus on web applications and are the most serious type of attacks

Different types of attacks fall into categories based on the traffic quantity and the vulnerabilities being targeted. Here are some popular types of DDoS attacks:

• ICMP (Ping) Flood
• SYN Flood
• NTP Amplification
• HTTP Flood
• Zero-day DDoS attacks
• UDP Flood
• Smurf Attack
• Fraggle Attack
• Slowloris

Also Read >> Top Networking Interview Questions & Answers

Ransomware Interview Questions

Q33. What is Ransomware? 

Ans. Ransomware is malicious software that enables cyber-criminals to block you from accessing your data. The victim’s data is encrypted until the attacker is paid a predetermined ransom, which is usually in the form of cryptocurrency. Ransomware may be distributed through email phishing and exploit kits. After its distribution, the ransomware encrypts selected files and notifies the victim of the required payment.

Q34. How does Ransomware work?

Ans. Ransomware may enter your network in multiple ways. The most common way is by downloading a spam email attachment. The download will infect your system with the ransomware program. Other ransomware ways include social engineering, downloads of malicious software, and malvertising.  

The software gets into your network by an executable file that may have been in a zip folder or any other attachment. The download file will then encrypt your data, add an extension to your files, and makes them inaccessible. 

Q35. Name some different types of ransomware. 

Ans. The different types of ransomware variants are: 

• CryptoLocker
• WannaCry
• Bad Rabbit
• Cerber
• Crysis
• CryptoWall
• GoldenEye
• Jigsaw
• TeslaCrypt
• TorrentLocker
• Locky

Now, let’s move forward with some Malware-related Network Security interview questions.

Malware Interview Questions

Q36. What is Malware?

Ans. Short for malicious software, Malware refers to software variants, such as viruses, worms, adware ransomware, and spyware, that are designed to damage and destroy data and systems or to gain unauthorized access to a network. Malware is usually sent as a link or file over email. The target must click on the link or open the file to execute the malware.

Q37. What is Spyware?

Ans. Spyware is unwanted software that gains access to your computer and reports back to a remote user. It steals your internet usage data and sensitive information. In simple terms, malicious software gains access to or damages your computer without your knowledge. It is mostly used to steal financial or personal information. 

Q38. What is Adware?

Ans. Adware is malicious software designed to collect data on your computer usage and show appropriate advertisements on your screen, often within a web browser. Adware may not always be malicious, but in some cases, it can cause issues for your system. It can redirect your browser to unsafe sites and even contain Trojan horses and spyware. 

Phishing Interview Questions

Q39. What is Phishing?

Ans. Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending fraudulent emails, calls, or text messages to targets that appear to come from a reputable source. It is a cybercrime that tricks the target into sharing passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information or installing malware on the victim’s machine by posing as a trusted source. It is a type of social engineering attack.

Q40. How does phishing work?

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that enables hackers to steal the victim’s sensitive data, such as login credentials and credit card numbers. It starts with a fraudulent email or other communication like a text message created to tempt a victim. The communication looks as if it has come from a trusted source. 

The phishers dupe victims into opening those emails or text messages, and the victim is coaxed into providing confidential information, leading to devastating results.

Apart from stealing sensitive data, hackers can infect computers with viruses and convince victims to participate in money laundering. 

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Q41. What are the different types of phishing attacks?

Ans. The different types of phishing attacks are:

1. Email Phishing: This is the most common type of Phishing. The phisher will register a fake domain that looks like a genuine source and send generic requests to obtain confidential information from the victims. Phishers use the data to steal money or to launch other attacks.
2. Spear Phishing: It targets specific individuals instead of a wide group of people after searching the victims on social media and other sites to customize their communications and appear more authentic.
3. Whaling: In this, the attackers go after those working in senior positions. Attackers spend considerable time profiling the target to find the best way to steal their sensitive information.
4. Smishing and Vishing: In smishing, the victim is contacted through text messages, while vishing involves a telephonic conversation. Both end goals are the same as any other kind of phishing attack.

Take a look at some more frequently-asked Network Security interview questions and answers.

VPN Interview Questions and Answers

Q42. What does VPN stand for?

Ans. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It creates a secure network connection over a public network like the Internet.

Q43. What is the use of a VPN?

Ans. A VPN or virtual private network is an encrypted connection over the Internet from a device to a network. It provides online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public internet connection. It prevents unauthorized people from spying on the traffic and allows the user to conduct work remotely.

Q44. What are the different types of VPNs?

Ans. The different types of VPNs are:

• Remote access
• Site-to-site

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Shadow IT Interview Questions 

Q45. What is Shadow IT?

Ans. Shadow IT refers to using information technology systems, software, devices, applications, and services without informing the organization’s IT or security group. It includes the projects that are managed outside of and without the knowledge of the organization’s IT department.

This practice has grown exponentially lately with adopting of cloud-based applications and services. Shadow IT can introduce security risks to the organization through data leaks and potential compliance violations.

Q46. Give some examples of Shadow IT.

Ans. Shadow IT consists of all IT-related activities and purchases that the IT department is unaware of. It includes all projects conducted out of compliance with official company policies. Examples of Shadow IT purchases include:

• Hardware: PCs, laptops, tablets, servers, flash drives, external drives, and smartphones
• Productivity apps: Trello and Slack
• Communication apps: Skype and VOIP
• Packaged software
• Cloud Services: Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Want to learn more about CyberSecurity? Refer to this blog – What is CyberSecurity.