200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
An attacker intercepts communication between a client and a server, allowing the attacker to read, insert, and modify messages in both directions. Which type of network attack is this?
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
✓
Man-in-the-middle
A man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack places the attacker between two parties to intercept and manipulate traffic.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Denial of Service
Why it's wrong here
DoS aims to disrupt service, not intercept communications.
- ✗
ARP spoofing
Why it's wrong here
ARP spoofing is a technique used in MitM, but the scenario describes the broader attack.
- ✗
DNS poisoning
Why it's wrong here
DNS poisoning corrupts DNS cache to redirect traffic; not necessarily intercepting all messages.
- ✓
Man-in-the-middle
Why this is correct
MitM allows interception, reading, and modification of communications between two parties.
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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.