1. What is the primary function of a firewall in a computer network? - A) To serve as the primary storage device - B) To manage the computer's memory - C) To protect networked computers from unauthorized access - D) To provide a user interface Answer: C) To protect networked computers from unauthorized access Rationale: A firewall is designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. It can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both. 2. Which of the following is a fundamental role of an operating system? - A) Facilitating communication between hardware components - B) Providing encryption for data at rest - C) Managing the computer's BIOS - D) Overseeing software installation processes Answer: A) Facilitating communication between hardware components Rationale: The operating system serves as an intermediary between applications and the computer hardware, managing hardware resources and providing common services for computer programs. 3. In the context of cybersecurity, what is the purpose of a hard drive's S.M.A.R.T. technology? - A) To encrypt data on the hard drive - B) To predict potential hard drive failures - C) To increase the storage capacity of the hard drive - D) To manage file permissions and access control Answer: B) To predict potential hard drive failures Rationale: S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) is a monitoring system included in computer hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) that detects and reports on various indicators of drive reliability. 4. What is the primary purpose of RAM in a computer system? - A) To permanently store user data - B) To act as the main processing unit - C) To store data temporarily for quick access by the CPU - D) To control peripheral devices Answer: C) To store data temporarily for quick access by the CPU