200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
A security analyst is monitoring network traffic and notices a large number of TCP SYN packets being sent to a single host on various ports. Which type of attack is most likely occurring?
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
✓
Port scan
A port scan involves sending packets to multiple ports on a target to discover open ports. The description matches a TCP SYN scan.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Man-in-the-middle
Why it's wrong here
A man-in-the-middle attack intercepts communication between two parties.
- ✗
ARP spoofing
Why it's wrong here
ARP spoofing involves sending fake ARP messages to associate the attacker's MAC with the IP of a legitimate host.
- ✗
DNS amplification
Why it's wrong here
DNS amplification uses DNS servers to amplify traffic in a DDoS attack.
- ✓
Port scan
Why this is correct
A TCP SYN scan sends SYN packets to multiple ports to identify open ports.
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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.