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.
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Man-in-the-middle
Why it's wrong here
A SYN flood is identified by half-open TCP connection attempts across many ports; man-in-the-middle instead intercepts established sessions by relaying or altering traffic between two parties. It is tempting because MITM also involves network traffic manipulation, and would be correct if the analyst saw forged ARP replies or duplicated session credentials rather than SYN volume.
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ARP spoofing
Why it's wrong here
ARP spoofing poisons the local ARP cache to redirect Layer 2 traffic, producing duplicate IP-to-MAC mappings, not a flood of SYN packets across many ports. It is tempting because it also targets a single host on a LAN, and would be correct if the analyst observed gratuitous ARP replies claiming the gateway's address.
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DNS amplification
Why it's wrong here
A SYN flood is a volumetric denial-of-service attack; DNS amplification instead sends spoofed queries to open resolvers, producing large responses toward the victim. It tempts because amplification also floods a target, but its signature is oversized UDP responses, not numerous TCP SYN segments.
- ✓
Port scan
Why this is correct
A port scan sends TCP SYN packets to many ports on one host, seeking open services; the half-open responses distinguish it from a SYN flood, which targets a single port. This matches the stem's multiple-ports-to-one-host pattern.
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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.