Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Cybersecurity Practice Test

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Prepare for the FBLA Cybersecurity Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to help you excel. Get exam-ready now!

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What is the primary function of the Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP)?

To encrypt user data during transmission
To authenticate a user or network host
To establish a VPN connection
To monitor network traffic for security

The correct answer is: To authenticate a user or network host

The primary function of the Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) is to authenticate a user or network host. CHAP accomplishes this by using a three-way handshake process during which the server sends a challenge to the user. The user then generates a response using a hashing function, combining the challenge with the user's password. The server computes its own hash using the same method and compares it to the user's response. If they match, authentication is successful, confirming the identity of the user or device attempting to connect. This method enhances security because the password is not sent over the network; only the hash is transmitted. Additionally, it protects against replay attacks by changing the challenge value with each authentication session, ensuring that the same hash cannot be reused. While it plays a crucial role in verifying identities, it does not involve encrypting data transmission, establishing VPN connections, or monitoring traffic, which are functions associated with other protocols or technologies.