Interview

20 Windows Security Interview Questions and Answers

Prepare for the types of questions you are likely to be asked when interviewing for a position where Windows Security will be used.

Windows Security is a critical area of expertise for any IT professional. When interviewing for a position that requires Windows Security experience, be prepared to answer questions about your knowledge and experience. In this article, we review some of the most common Windows Security interview questions and provide tips on how to answer them.

Windows Security Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Windows Security interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is Windows security?

Windows security is a term that refers to the various security features and settings that are available in the Windows operating system. These features and settings can be used to help protect your computer from malware, viruses, and other security threats.

2. Can you explain what the difference between authentication and authorization is?

Authentication is the process of verifying that a user is who they say they are, while authorization is the process of verifying that a user has the permissions necessary to access a particular resource. In other words, authentication is about verifying identity, while authorization is about verifying permissions.

3. What are some important types of groups used in Windows Security?

In Windows security, there are a few different types of groups that are used in order to manage user permissions. These include local groups, domain groups, and built-in groups. Local groups are used to manage permissions for users on a single machine, while domain groups are used to manage permissions for users across a network. Built-in groups are groups that come pre-configured with Windows and have a set of predetermined permissions.

4. Is it possible to apply permissions for a specific group on another user account as well? How?

Yes, it is possible to apply permissions for a specific group on another user account. You can do this by opening the “Security” tab in the “Properties” window for the file or folder in question, clicking the “Edit” button, and then adding the desired group with the appropriate permissions.

5. What’s your understanding of NTFS vs FAT vs exFAT file systems?

NTFS is the most modern file system and is designed for use with Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7. NTFS has many advantages over the older FAT and exFAT file systems, including support for file permissions and encryption, as well as the ability to recover damaged files. FAT is an older file system that is still used on some removable media, such as USB flash drives. exFAT is a newer version of FAT that is designed for use with larger removable media, such as SD cards.

6. What do you understand about permission inheritance?

Permission inheritance is when a child object inherits the permissions of its parent object. This can be useful in situations where you want to apply the same permissions to multiple objects, but it can also be a security risk if not managed properly.

7. What are discretionary access controls (DACs)?

Discretionary access controls (DACs) are security controls that allow the owner of a resource to specify who can have access to that resource and what level of access they can have. DACs are typically used in conjunction with other security controls, such as mandatory access controls (MACs), to provide a comprehensive security solution.

8. Can you tell me what mandatory access control (MAC) means?

MAC is a security model that defines how subjects are allowed to access objects. In a MAC system, subjects and objects are assigned security labels that define the level of access that the subject is allowed to have to the object. This model is typically used in high-security environments where it is important to limit access to sensitive information.

9. What are ACLs?

ACLs, or access control lists, are a fundamental part of Windows security. They are used to control who has access to what resources on a computer. For example, you can use an ACL to allow only certain users to access a file or folder.

10. What are ACEs?

ACEs are Access Control Entries, and they are used to determine who has access to what resources in a Windows environment. Each ACE is made up of a security identifier (SID) and an access mask, which together specify the permissions that are granted or denied for that SID.

11. What do you know about access tokens?

Access tokens are used by the Windows operating system to control access to resources. When a user logs into a computer, an access token is created that contains the user’s security information. This token is then used by the operating system to allow or deny the user access to specific resources.

12. What is a SID?

A SID is a unique identifier that is assigned to every user and group when they are created in Windows. It is used to identify the user or group, and all of their associated permissions, when they are accessing resources.

13. Can you explain how Kerberos works?

Kerberos is a network authentication protocol that uses secret-key cryptography to authenticate users and services on a network. It is used by many large organizations, including Microsoft, to provide a secure way for users to log into their systems. When a user wants to log into a Kerberos-enabled system, they first need to authenticate with a Kerberos server. This server will then issue them a ticket, which they can use to prove their identity to the system they are trying to log into.

14. What do you understand by an audit policy?

An audit policy is a set of rules that dictate what actions should be audited on a computer system. This can include things like successful and failed login attempts, file and directory changes, and other system-level activity. Audit policies can be used to help secure a system by providing a way to track and monitor activity that could be suspicious or malicious.

15. What’s the purpose of auditing files and folders?

Auditing files and folders helps to ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive information. By tracking who accesses what files and folders, you can more easily identify potential security breaches. Additionally, auditing can help you to compliance with industry regulations or internal policies.

16. Can you name some of the most common security risks that affect a Windows-based system?

There are many potential security risks that can affect a Windows-based system, but some of the most common include viruses and malware, phishing attacks, and unpatched software vulnerabilities.

17. Can you describe what ransomware is?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s files and then demands a ransom be paid in order to decrypt and regain access to them. This type of attack can be particularly devastating for businesses, as it can result in the loss of critical data.

18. What is phishing?

Phishing is a type of online fraud that involves tricking people into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. The attacker will typically pose as a legitimate entity in an email or other communication, and then direct the victim to a fake website that looks identical to the real thing. Once the victim enters their information on the fake website, the attacker can then use it to commit fraud or other crimes.

19. What is the best way to protect your data from unauthorized users?

The best way to protect your data from unauthorized users is to encrypt it. This way, even if someone does manage to get their hands on your data, they will not be able to read it unless they have the key to decrypt it.

20. What is the best method for securing our Windows server?

The best method for securing our Windows server is to install and configure a firewall, and to use strong passwords for all accounts.

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