IPA IP 2026 Question 63
A question IPA Japan published in 令和8年度 ITパスポート試験 公開問題 問63, translated into English. ITPEC is based on the same exams.
Which of the following is an appropriate measure for reducing the damage caused by ransomware that makes the files saved on a PC unusable?
Explanation
Backup of data — if the files can be restored from a copy, encryption by ransomware no longer destroys them.
Ransomware encrypts (or locks) the files on a PC and demands money for the key. The damage is the loss of the files. A backup kept separate from the PC, offline or on storage the PC cannot overwrite, lets the files be restored without paying. A backup that stays connected can be encrypted along with the originals, so it is kept apart.
Answer (c)
Why not others:
- •(a) — a UPS supplies power during an outage; it protects against power loss, not against malware
- •(b) — encrypting your own data protects its confidentiality if it leaks, but ransomware can still encrypt the already encrypted files and make them unusable
- •(d) — changing the login password is an access-control measure; it does not stop malware already running on the PC, nor bring back files it has encrypted
Key rule: Against ransomware, the measure that reduces the damage is a backup kept apart from the PC, so lost files can be restored.
Security · AI-written, may contain errors
This question comes from the past questions IPA Japan publishes, translated into English by ITPEC Practice. ITPEC Practice is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with IPA or ITPEC. See the original paper (PDF) or Report an issue.