200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
A security analyst is configuring a firewall to block common reconnaissance techniques. Which THREE types of reconnaissance traffic should be blocked to prevent active reconnaissance? (Choose three.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Vulnerability scanning
Active reconnaissance involves direct interaction with the target. Port scanning, ping sweeps, and vulnerability scanning are active methods. Passive reconnaissance includes social engineering, Google searches, and WHOIS lookups.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Social engineering
Why it's wrong here
Social engineering is passive information gathering through human interaction.
- ✗
WHOIS lookups
Why it's wrong here
WHOIS is passive; it queries public databases.
- ✓
Vulnerability scanning
Why this is correct
Vulnerability scanning actively probes for weaknesses.
- ✓
Port scanning
Why this is correct
Port scanning actively probes for open ports.
- ✓
Ping sweeps
Why this is correct
Ping sweeps actively send ICMP echo requests.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.