Cybersecurity Quiz for Beginners: Questions and Answers

As the world is growing digitally, cybersecurity has become one of the most important topics in your professional as well as personal life. The cyber threats continue to develop, and it is imperative that anyone, including students, employees, and aspiring information technology professionals, understand the basics of online safety. That's the reason behind conceptualizing the Cybersecurity Quiz for Beginners. This quiz has been developed to help all learners reinforce their understanding of the basic tenets and best practices in cybersecurity.

This quiz is quite unique and will take you through important issues like phishing, malware, firewalls, encryption, network security, password hygiene, and multi-factor authentication. The goal here is to enhance your understanding of the contexts in which cyberattacks happen, how to recognize warning signs, and how to enact preventive measures to secure data and systems. Attempting this quiz will not only help you assess your knowledge about cybersecurity, but also it will improve your overall preparedness to both identify and counter real-world cyber threats.

Hence, if you’re just starting your journey in cybersecurity—whether pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cybersecurity or simply looking to revisit the fundamentals—the cybersecurity quiz offers an engaging way to test your knowledge and build confidence in your ability to safeguard digital systems.

1. What is phishing?

• Attempting to steal information through fake emails

• Installing legitimate software updates

• Encrypting files for backup purposes

• Sending spam newsletters

2. Which of these is a strong password?

• 123456

• password

• G7f$2kL!8v

• abcdef

3. What does a firewall do?

• Deletes malware automatically

• Monitors and controls network traffic

• Backs up data to the cloud

• Encrypts email messages

4. What is malware?

• A type of hardware

• Software designed to damage or gain unauthorized access

• A programming language

• A network protocol

5. Which of these is an example of two-factor authentication (2FA)?

• Password only

• Password plus SMS code

• Username only

• Security question only

6. What does VPN stand for?

• Virtual Private Network

• Visual Protection Node

• Variable Protocol Network

• Virtual Public Node

7. What is ransomware?

• Malware that encrypts your files and demands payment

• A security update

• Cloud storage service

• Anti-virus software

8. Which of these is a common sign of a phishing email?

• Urgent request to click a link or provide credentials

• Personalized greeting using your name

• Proper grammar and punctuation

• Trusted sender address

9. What is a brute-force attack?

• Using social engineering 

• Exploiting software bugs

• Trying every possible password combination

• Encrypting files

10. What does HTTPS provide?

• Faster website loading

• Encrypted communication between browser and server

• Server-side firewall protection

• Automatic password generation

11. What is a Trojan horse?

• Hardware firewall

• Antivirus update

• Malware disguised as legitimate software

• Spam filter

12. What is social engineering in cybersecurity?

• Writing secure code

• Configuring firewalls

• Manipulating people to reveal confidential info

• Encrypting messages

13. What is the primary purpose of antivirus software?

• Block all emails

• Detect, prevent, and remove malicious software

• Encrypt sensitive files

• Manage passwords

14. Which of these is a common type of malware?

• Text file

• Worm

• Spreadsheet

• PDF viewer

15. What does the term "patching" refer to?

• Creating backups

• Updating software to fix vulnerabilities

• Encrypting files

• Deleting old emails

16. What is a denial-of-service (DoS) attack?

• Stealing credentials

• Overloading a system to make it unavailable

• Installing malware

• Encrypting network traffic

17. Which of these is an example of a secure network practice?

• Sharing passwords over email

• Using default router credentials

• Regularly updating software and using strong passwords

• Disabling firewalls

18. What is a keylogger?

• Firewall software

• Backup utility

• Software that records keystrokes secretly

• Encryption tool

19. What is encryption?

• Deleting files

• Converting data into unreadable form to protect it

• Copying files to another location

• Hiding folders visually

20. What is a zero-day vulnerability?

• A known bug fixed by software updates

• A flaw unknown to the vendor and exploitable by attackers

• Weak password

• Firewall misconfiguration

21. Which of these is a safe practice for email security?

• Clicking all attachments

• Verifying sender before opening links

• Using simple passwords

• Ignoring software updates

22. What is SQL injection?

• Email phishing method

• Inserting malicious SQL code to manipulate databases

• Encrypting files

• Brute-force login attack

23. Which of these is a common way to spread malware?

• Updating software

• Downloading attachments from unknown emails

• Encrypting personal files

• Using secure cloud services

24. What is a digital certificate used for?

• Sending spam

• Verifying the authenticity of websites and services

• Encrypting local files only

• Managing firewall rules

25. Which of these is a strong indicator of a secure website?

• HTTP in URL

• HTTPS in URL and padlock icon

• Bright background colors

• Multiple pop-ups

26. What does DDoS stand for?

• Distributed Denial-of-Service

• Direct Data-over-Secure

• Dynamic Domain-of-Service

• Default Data-on-Server

27. Which of these is considered a cyber threat?

• Phishing email

• Firewall

• Encrypted network

• Strong password

28. What is a botnet?

• Antivirus software

• Network of compromised computers controlled remotely

• Hardware firewall

• Network cable

29. What is spyware?

• Firewall configuration

• Software that secretly monitors user activity

• Data encryption tool

• Antivirus feature

30. What is the main purpose of multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

• Encrypt files

• Add additional layers of security beyond passwords

• Manage software updates

• Monitor network traffic

31. What is a common way hackers steal passwords?

• Using encryption

• Updating software

• Keylogging and phishing

• Using firewalls

32. What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

• HTTP is faster.

• HTTPS encrypts the data sent between client and server.

• HTTP requires MFA

• HTTPS disables cookies.

33. Which of these is a safe password practice?

• Using "password123"

• Mixing letters, numbers, and symbols

• Sharing with friends

• Writing on sticky notes

34. What is a cybersecurity breach?

• Secure login

• Unauthorized access to data or systems

• Data backup

• Antivirus installation

35. What is a worm?

• Human virus

• Firewall rule

• Encrypted file

• Self-replicating malware that spreads over networks

36. What is a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack?

• Encrypting emails

• Intercepting communication between two parties secretly

• Updating software

• Brute-force login attempt

37. What is a common sign of malware infection?

• Slow system performance and unexpected pop-ups

• High-speed internet

• Strong antivirus software

• Latest OS updates

38. Which of these is an example of social engineering?

• Firewall configuration

• Pretending to be IT support to get passwords

• Installing updates

• Encrypting files

39. What does phishing aim to steal?

• Firewalls

• Personal information and credentials

• Network speed

• Backup files

40. Which is a secure way to store passwords?

• Writing on paper

• Using a password manager with encryption

• Emailing them to yourself

• Saving in a text file

41. What is spyware typically used for?

• Encrypting files

• Monitoring user activity without consent

• Installing software updates

• Brute-force attacks

42. What is an example of a network security device?

• Keyboard

• Mouse

• Firewall

• Printer

43. Which type of malware spreads by itself across networks?

• Trojan

• Virus

• Worm 

• Spyware

44. What does phishing usually involve?

• Installing antivirus

• Fake emails or websites to steal credentials

• Encrypting files

• Software updates

45. Which is an example of personal cybersecurity hygiene?

• Sharing passwords

• Updating passwords regularly and using MFA

• Disabling antivirus

• Clicking unknown links

46. What is a key step in preventing ransomware attacks?

• Ignoring software updates

• Regular backups and cautious email handling

• Using weak passwords

• Sharing USB drives

47. What is a security vulnerability?

• Firewall rule

• Weakness in software or hardware that can be exploited

• Strong password

• Backup file

48. What is a digital signature used for?

• Encrypting passwords

• Verifying the authenticity and integrity of digital messages or files

• Hiding files

• Monitoring network traffic

49. What is ethical hacking?

• Illegal hacking

• Testing systems to find vulnerabilities legally

• Writing malware

• Phishing

50. What is a common method to protect data in transit?

• Deleting it

• Using encryption protocols like SSL/TLS

• Printing it

• Sending via email without encryption

Conclusion

Taking the Cybersecurity Quiz for Beginners helps you determine your level of proficiency in cybersecurity basics, identify areas for improvement, and reinforce positive online habits such as using strong passwords and being cautious about emailing. Thus, it is important to stay curious, continue to learn, and apply your learning to build safer digital spaces.