hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-201 Practice Question: A security analyst reviews system logs and…
A security analyst reviews system logs and notices multiple failed login attempts from a single IP address to different user accounts over a short period. The analyst then sees a successful login for one account. Which type of attack is most likely occurring?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between password spraying and credential stuffing by emphasizing the use of a single IP and multiple accounts versus reused breach data, leading candidates to confuse credential stuffing (which requires known pairs) with this broader password-guessing method.
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
✓
Password spraying
Password spraying (D) is the correct answer because the attacker attempts a small number of common passwords against many user accounts, avoiding account lockout thresholds. The pattern of multiple failed logins from a single IP across different accounts, followed by a single success, matches this low-and-slow technique rather than targeting one account with many passwords.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Brute force
Why it's wrong here
Brute force tries many passwords on a single account, not many accounts.
- ✗
Dictionary attack
Why it's wrong here
Dictionary attack uses a list of common passwords, but typically on one account.
- ✗
Credential stuffing
Why it's wrong here
Credential stuffing uses previously compromised credentials, not guessing.
- ✓
Password spraying
Why this is correct
Password spraying tries a few passwords across many accounts to avoid lockouts.
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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.