Protocols

Question 1

What is TCP?

Answer 1

TCP is a transport layer protocol that ensures reliable data delivery. It is used with IP and often referenced as TCP/IP.

Question 2

What is HTTP?

Answer 2

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the foundation of the World Wide Web, used for transferring data between devices. It belongs to the application layer (layer 7).

Question 3

What is HTTPS?

Answer 3

HTTPS (HTTP Secure) encrypts HTTP messages to prevent interception and reading by attackers.

Question 4

What is TLS/SSL?

Answer 4

TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the protocol HTTPS uses for encryption. It was formerly called SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).

Question 5

What is UDP?

Answer 5

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a faster but less reliable alternative to TCP at the transport layer, often used for video streaming and gaming.

Question 6

What are VPN protocols?

Answer 6

VPN protocols determine how data is routed through a connection, with different specifications for speed, privacy, and security.

Question 7

What is PPTP?

Answer 7

Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, one of the oldest VPN protocols, offers fast speeds but has many security issues.

Question 8

What is a benefit of L2TP/IPSec?

Answer 8

Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol paired with IPsec provides strong security and good speeds but can be easily blocked.

Question 9

What is OpenVPN?

Answer 9

OpenVPN is an open-source protocol with strong AES-256 encryption, RSA authentication, and SHA1 hashing, but slower speeds.

Question 10

What is SSTP?

Answer 10

Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol integrates with Microsoft OS, uses SSL/TLS certificates for security, but is proprietary.

Question 11

What is IKEv2?

Answer 11

Internet Key Exchange version 2, usually paired with IPsec, excels at reconnecting after loss and switching networks, with open-source options.

Question 12

What is Transport Layer Security (TLS)?

Answer 12

TLS is a cryptographic protocol that provides secure communication over a network, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and authentication.

Question 13

Why is data encryption necessary?

Answer 13

Privacy: Prevents unauthorized access. Security: Protects against breaches. Data Integrity: Prevents tampering. Regulations: Required by HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR.

Question 14

List VPNs protocols

Answer 14

PPTP
~1995
Speed: Fast
Security is very weak (obsolete)
Use case: Legacy systems, not recommended

L2TP/IPsec
~1999
Speed: Slow
Security: Strong
Use: Older corporate VPNs

OpenVPN
2001
Speed: Medium
Security: Very strong
General-purpose, highly configurable

IKEv2/IPsec
~2005
Speed: Fast
Security: Very strong
Use case: Mobile devices, stable connections

Secure Socket Tunnelling Protocol
2007
Speed: Medium/Fast
Security: Strong
Use:
WireGuard
2016
Speed: Very fast
Security: Strong (modern)
Modern VPNs, performance-focused