While the processor is in user mode, then which of the given below statement(s) is/are true?

In user mode, the processor operates with restricted privileges to protect system integrity. User-mode programs are prevented from directly accessing protected system resources (memory, I/O ports, privileged instructions) and cannot transition to kernel mode on their own—mode switching requires a system call or privileged instruction that only the kernel can execute. Both statements accurately describe the fundamental security constraints of user mode.

Step-by-step Derivation:
Analyze each statement:

Statement I: "The program cannot access protected system resources."

• TRUE. User mode is a restricted execution state with limited privileges.
• Protected resources include: kernel memory, I/O device registers, privileged instructions, and system tables.
• Attempts to access these trigger a protection fault/exception, which the kernel handles (typically terminating the program).
• This is enforced by hardware privilege levels (e.g., Intel Ring 3 for user, Ring 0 for kernel).

Statement II: "The program cannot change its mode."

• TRUE. A user-mode program cannot directly switch to kernel (supervisor) mode.
• Mode transitions require privileged instructions (e.g., sysenter, syscall on x86) that are only executable in kernel mode.
• A user program can only request a mode change via a system call, which transfers control to the kernel.
• The kernel then decides whether to grant the request and performs the actual mode switch.

Conclusion: Both statements are true. Answer is A.