AP Computer Science Principles Practice Quiz: Safe Computing
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 16 questions to check your progress.
Question 1 of 16
All Questions (16)
A) Through the aggregation of disparate data like geolocation, cookies, and browsing history.
B) By using multifactor authentication to link different user accounts together.
C) By encrypting personal data, which makes it more valuable to marketing companies.
D) Through the use of keylogging software, which only captures a user's name and address.
Correct Answer: A
According to the provided content, 'Disparate personal data, such as geolocation, cookies, and browsing history, can be aggregated to create knowledge about an individual.' This process combines various data points to build a comprehensive profile.
A) Symmetric key encryption
B) A rogue access point
C) Multifactor authentication
D) A computer virus scan
Correct Answer: C
The content states that 'Multifactor authentication adds layers of security, requiring at least two steps to unlock protected information' and requires evidence from at least two categories. A password (knowledge) and a code on a phone (possession) fit this description.
A) To create strong passwords for users that are difficult to guess.
B) To scan for and remove malware from a computing system.
C) To issue digital certificates that validate the ownership of encryption keys.
D) To record every keystroke made by a user to detect fraudulent activity.
Correct Answer: C
As stated in the text, 'Certificate authorities issue digital certificates that validate the ownership of encryption keys used in secure communications based on a trust model.'
A) Keylogging
B) Phishing
C) A rogue access point
D) A computer virus
Correct Answer: B
The content defines phishing as 'a technique that attempts to trick a user into providing personal information, which can then be used to access sensitive online resources.' The scenario described is a classic phishing attempt.
A) A user's preferred web browser
B) The name of a city a user lives in
C) A user's phone number
D) A user's favorite color
Correct Answer: C
The text defines PII as 'information about an individual that identifies, links, relates, or describes them' and explicitly lists 'phone number' as an example.
A) It is automatically encrypted by all websites.
B) It is difficult to delete permanently.
C) It can only be viewed by the person who posted it.
D) It is automatically verified for accuracy by search engines.
Correct Answer: B
The content explicitly states, 'Once information is placed online, it is difficult to delete.' This highlights the persistence of digital data.
A) Certificate authority
B) Rogue access point
C) Symmetric key
D) Freeware download
Correct Answer: B
The provided text defines a rogue access point as 'a wireless access point that gives unauthorized access to secure networks.' This perfectly describes the scenario, as it's designed to intercept data sent over the public network.
A) They increase the speed of the user's internet connection.
B) They add new cosmetic features to the user interface.
C) They fix errors or design flaws that could be exploited.
D) They automatically delete any stored Personally Identifiable Information.
Correct Answer: C
The content states that 'Regular software updates help fix errors or design flaws that could be exploited to compromise a computing system.'
A) Malware is software intended to cause damage, while a virus is a specific type of malware that can copy itself.
B) A virus is intended to cause damage, while malware is only used for targeted marketing.
C) Malware is always downloaded from freeware sites, while viruses are only spread through email.
D) A virus is a hardware issue, while malware is a software issue.
Correct Answer: A
The text defines malware as 'software intended to damage a computing system' and a computer virus as a 'malicious program that can copy itself.' This indicates that a virus is a specific category of the broader term 'malware'.
A) To issue a digital certificate for their browser.
B) To provide targeted marketing or suggest websites.
C) To create a strong password for their accounts.
D) To scan their computer for malware.
Correct Answer: B
According to the text, 'Search engines can use search history to suggest websites or for targeted marketing.'
A) A search engine history
B) Keylogging
C) Multifactor authentication
D) Encryption
Correct Answer: B
The content defines keylogging as 'the use of a program to record every keystroke made by a computer user to gain fraudulent access to confidential information.'
A) A password that is short and uses a common word.
B) A password that is easy for the user to remember but hard for others to guess.
C) A password that is the user's Social Security number.
D) A password that is shared among multiple users for convenience.
Correct Answer: B
The text states, 'A strong password is easy for a user to remember but difficult for someone else to guess based on knowledge of that user.'
A) The information may be exploited.
B) The information will be automatically deleted.
C) The information will become more accurate.
D) The information will be converted into a public key.
Correct Answer: A
The content warns that 'Commercial and governmental curation of information may be exploited if privacy and other protections are ignored.'
A) Phishing
B) Keylogging
C) Authentication
D) Encryption
Correct Answer: D
The text defines encryption as 'encoding data to prevent unauthorized access.'
A) The download may contain malware.
B) The download will improve the computer's performance.
C) The download will automatically create a strong password for the user.
D) The download will encrypt the user's entire hard drive for protection.
Correct Answer: A
The provided content explicitly warns that 'Untrustworthy (often free) downloads from freeware or shareware sites can contain malware.'
A) Social media platforms automatically delete all PII.
B) Social media posts are always encrypted and cannot be read by others.
C) By combining it with information from other sources.
D) By using multifactor authentication on the social media account.
Correct Answer: C
The text states, 'Information posted to social media services can be used by others. Combining this information with other sources can deduce private information about you.'