Question 1

Embedded Linux is an example of a(n) ____ OS used in a multitude of industrial, medical, and consumer items.

Accepted Answer

Embedded Linux is an example of a monolithic operating system, which means that the entire operating system, including device drivers and system services, are built into a single executable file. This type of operating system is commonly used in embedded systems because it can be designed for specific hardware configurations and offers better performance and reliability than other types of operating systems.

Question 2

A(n) ____ operating system can be a small program developed specifically for use with embedded systems, or it can be a stripped-down version of an OS commonly used on general-purpose computers.

Accepted Answer

An embedded operating system is specifically designed and optimized for use in embedded systems, which are typically smaller and have more limited resources than general-purpose computers. It is often a small program with a simple interface that can perform basic functions necessary for the embedded system to function. Therefore, B is the best choice for the given statement. The other options may not necessarily be small or stripped-down versions of an OS commonly used on general-purpose computers.

Question 3

The ____ worm spread by exploiting outdated or poorly configured router OSs that contained easy-to-guess passwords.

Accepted Answer

The psyb0t worm spread through routers by exploiting weak passwords, using a list of 6,000 common login credentials. The other worms listed did not specifically target routers.

Question 4

Embedded OSs are usually designed to be small and efficient, so they don't have some of the functions that general-purpose OSs have.

Accepted Answer

Embedded OSs are designed to be small, efficient and have specialized functions for specific tasks. They typically do not have some of the features that general-purpose OSs have, such as a graphical user interface or support for multiple applications running concurrently.

Question 5

What is the collective name for embedded versions of Windows Enterprise OSs, such as XP Professional, Windows Vista Business and Ultimate, and Windows 7 Ultimate and Professional?

Accepted Answer

The collective name for embedded versions of Windows Enterprise OSs is Windows Embedded Enterprise. This includes versions such as XP Professional, Windows Vista Business and Ultimate, and Windows 7 Ultimate and Professional. Options A, B, and C are not correct names for this category of operating systems.

Question 6

One type of specialized embedded OS is a(n) ____, typically used in devices such as programmable thermostats, appliance controls, and even spacecraft.

Accepted Answer

Real-time operating systems (RTOSs) are designed for systems that require quick and predictable responses to events. These systems typically involve embedded devices such as programmable thermostats, appliance controls, and spacecraft where the operating system needs to respond quickly and predictably to real-time events. Therefore, RTOS is the best choice for this specialized embedded OS. Option B) Voice over Protocol (VoP) refers to voice communication protocols and is not an embedded OS. Option C) Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) is a framework for high-assurance systems and is not specifically related to embedded OS. Option D) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is a system of software and hardware elements used to control industrial processes and infrastructure, and not designed as an embedded system.

Question 7

Both general-purpose and embedded OSs use drivers to interface with hardware devices.

Accepted Answer

Both general-purpose and embedded OSs require drivers to communicate with hardware devices such as printers, keyboards, and network adapters. The drivers provide a software interface to the hardware, allowing the OS to control and interact with the device.

Question 8

Which of the following could be considered the biggest security threat for an organization?

Accepted Answer

While all of the options listed can pose a security threat to an organization, employees are often considered the biggest threat due to their access to sensitive information and potential for human error, negligence, or malicious behavior.

Question 9

One reason that some vendors of embedded OSs are using ____ software more is that the cost of developing and patching an OS is shared by the entire community.

Accepted Answer

Open-source software is developed and maintained by a community of developers who share the cost of development and patching. Therefore, some vendors of embedded OSs are using open-source software more to reduce their own development costs and benefit from the contributions of the community.

Question 10

An embedded OS certified to run multiple levels of classification (such as unclassified, secret, and top secret) on the same CPU without leakage between levels is called ____.

Accepted Answer

MILS (Multiple Independent Levels of Security) is an architecture that allows for multiple levels of classification to run on the same CPU without leakage between levels. MILS is commonly used in embedded systems that require high levels of security, such as military and aerospace applications. RTOS (Real-Time Operating System) is a type of operating system that is designed to handle time-sensitive tasks and is often used in embedded systems, but it does not guarantee the same level of security as MILS. GUI (Graphical User Interface) is a type of interface that allows users to interact with a computer using visual elements, such as icons and menus. DOS (Disk Operating System) is an old operating system that is no longer commonly used.

Question 11

Many viruses, worms, Trojans, and other attack vectors take advantage of ____code.

Accepted Answer

Shared code is often used by viruses, worms, Trojans, and other attack vectors to take advantage of vulnerabilities in software.

Question 12

For sensitive embedded systems that need only a fraction of the features offered by other kernels, the risk of vulnerabilities might outweigh the benefits, and a(n) ____ kernel might be most suitable.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For sensitive embedded systems that need only...

Question 13

OSs that use a(n) ____ sacrifice flexibility for simplicity and fewer hardware resources.

Accepted Answer

Microkernels are designed to be small and efficient, providing only the essential services required for basic system operation. This reduces the amount of hardware resources needed to run the operating system, making it a good choice for embedded systems with limited resources or for systems that require high levels of reliability. However, microkernels sacrifice flexibility for simplicity, as they do not provide the same level of functionality as larger, monolithic kernels.

Question 14

Which of the following is a software flaw that would cause the system to suddenly stop or fail when the clock struck midnight on the eve of the past millennium?

Accepted Answer

Y2K stands for "Year 2000" and refers to a programming flaw where computer systems represented the year with only two digits (e.g. 98 instead of 1998). This would cause errors when the year 2000 arrived and the systems would interpret it as the year 1900, potentially causing system failure.

Question 15

Attackers cannot map an entire network from a single router.

Accepted Answer

Attackers can use various scanning and enumeration techniques to map an entire network, even from a single router.

Question 16

Software residing on a chip is commonly referred to as ____.

Accepted Answer

Firmware is software that is embedded into a hardware device, typically a microcontroller or other programmable logic device. It is the set of instructions or code that runs on the device and controls its behavior. Unlike traditional software, firmware is not designed to be modified or updated by the user, and is typically stored in read-only memory (ROM) or flash memory on the chip.

Question 17

Wind River produces an open-source Linux OS for embedded systems and an OS microkernel extension called ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Wind River produces an open-source Linux OS...

Question 18

Firmware rootkits are hard to detect because the code for firmware often isn't checked for possible corruption.

Accepted Answer

Firmware is often not checked for changes or corruption, allowing firmware rootkits to remain hidden for a long period of time.

Question 19

Windows Embedded Standard is essentially Windows CE on a diet.

Accepted Answer

Windows Embedded Standard is actually a full version of Windows, but it is highly customizable and can be slimmed down to fit specific device needs. Windows CE, on the other hand, is a completely separate operating system designed specifically for embedded devices with limited resources.

Question 20

The ____ Linux kernel was designed to offer the most flexibility and support for sophisticated features.

Accepted Answer

The monolithic Linux kernel was designed to offer the most flexibility and support for sophisticated features, as it includes all the device drivers, file systems, and system calls directly into the kernel. This allows for efficient communication with hardware and allows for greater customization of the operating system. The other options, macrolithic and bilithic, are not actual terms used to describe the Linux kernel, and proprietary refers to software that is owned and restricted by a specific company, which goes against the open-source philosophy of Linux.

Quiz 9: Embedded Operating Systems: The Hidden Threat