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200-201 Practice Question: A security analyst reviews an alert from the IPS…
A security analyst reviews an alert from the IPS that shows a spike in TCP SYN packets from an external IP to multiple internal hosts on port 443. What is the most likely attack type?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between a SYN flood and port scanning by emphasizing that a SYN flood targets multiple hosts on the same port, while port scanning targets multiple ports on a single host.
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
✓
SYN flood
A SYN flood attack exploits the TCP three-way handshake by sending a high volume of SYN packets to multiple hosts without completing the handshake, exhausting server resources. The alert describes a spike in TCP SYN packets from an external IP to multiple internal hosts on port 443, which matches the behavior of a distributed SYN flood targeting HTTPS services. This is the most likely attack because the IPS is detecting the initial connection attempts characteristic of a SYN flood.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SYN flood
Why this is correct
A SYN flood sends many TCP SYN packets to exhaust resources.
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Port scanning
Why it's wrong here
Port scanning typically targets multiple ports on a single host, not multiple hosts on a single port.
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Man-in-the-middle
Why it's wrong here
MITM intercepts communications between two parties.
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DNS amplification
Why it's wrong here
DNS amplification uses UDP, not TCP SYN.
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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.