Get the answers to our computer security quiz

Here are the answers to the 10 questions posed on PC security in the quiz that was published in our free email newsletter and Facebook page.

1. Which of these Wifi security standards is the most secure?
A WEP
B WPA2
C WPA

Correct answer: B
How many got it right? 78%

WEP is one of the earliest wireless security standards and is the least secure of the three. WPA2, the second version of the Wifi Protected Access standard, is required for all Wifi-branded network equipment since 2006.

2. In computer terms, what is a Trojan Horse?
A virus that deletes operating system files
A malicious program that disguises itself as a legitimate file or program
A security tool that guards open broadband ports

Correct answer: B
How many got it right? 96%

Taking its name from the legend of Greek soldiers hiding themselves inside a wooden horse presented to the city of Troy as a gift, Trojans are malicious files disguised as useful ones.

3. Why might a phisher target your PC?
A To install software that makes your email program send large volumes of commercial emails
B To trick you into revealing confidential information such as passwords and bank details
C To steal your Windows licence key

Correct answer: B
How many got it right? 94%

A high number of online scams rely on an old fashioned confidence trick rather than sophisticated tech. Most phishing scams take the form of emails that appears to come from a bank or well-known brand. It will lead you to a website that looks legitimate but is run by criminals. Remember that no legitimate business will ever ask you to 'confirm' details in this way.

4. True or false - the latest versions of Windows come with everything you need to guard against online threats.

Correct answer: false
How many got it right? 74%

Microsoft has done a great deal to make Windows more secure since thew days of XP but while it provides many useful tools, some of the most important, such as anti-virus and anti-spyware, have to be downloaded separately and there are no Windows tools to protect mobile devices

5. Which of the following statements about email security is true?
A All email programs encrypt emails to stop them being intercepted
B It isn't possible to encrypt emails
C Only a few email programs support email encryption

Correct answer: C
How many got it right? 82%

Email was designed to be easy to share, not secure. Some email programs offer encryption but not as the default for every message. Hushmail encrypts messages and you can protect messages sent it Office 2007 and 2010 - but note that any company can be ordered to decrypt messages by a court if there's a compelling legal reason to do so.

6. True or false - smartphones are only vulnerable when you connect them to a PC

Correct answer: false
How many got it right? 96%

Any device that connects to the internet is at risk, and there's the growing problem of rogue apps to consider, too.

7. What type of security are internet cafes obliged to provide by law on the free Wifi services they offer?
A PSK2
B None
C WPA

Correct answer: None
How many got it right? 73%

Using any public wifi service carries additional risk and those offering such services have no responsibility for your safety.

8. How does a firewall help protect computers?
A Filters out ‘flame' comments from websites
B Blocks unauthorised access to or communication from a computer
C It's a protective case that guards against household fire damage

Correct answer: B
How many got it right? 99%

Taking its name from the barrier placed in buildings to prevent the spread of destructive flames, a hardware or software firewall inspects the packets of data that make up internet traffic to see what they contain.

9. True or false - social networks such as Facebook use a scanner that detects and blocks web links it thinks may be malicious

Correct answer: False
How many got it right? 68%

Some web browsers and security tools can do this, however, and Facebook has partnerships with some security companies to hep scan links. Users are advised to have their own security tools with support for scanning malicious links installed.

10. Which Bitdefender security product offers the most comprehensive security for home PC users?
A Internet Security 2012
B Total Security 2012
C Antivirus Plus 2012

Correct answer: B
How many got it right? 92%

Bitdefender Total Security contains all the tools found in the other two products, and more besides, including the Autopilot feature that keeps a PC safe with the minimum of fuss.

Thanks to everyone who took the survey, and the three lucky winners of the Bitdefender software are:

Don James McKinnon, Beverley
Ian Metcalfe, Grantham
Harbhajan Bansal, Stoke on Trent