200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
During a security assessment, an analyst uses the Shodan search engine to find exposed industrial control systems. Which phase of the attack lifecycle does this activity represent?
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
✓
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance involves gathering information about targets. Shodan is a passive reconnaissance tool that indexes device information without direct interaction.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Command and control
Why it's wrong here
C2 is after exploitation to maintain control.
- ✓
Reconnaissance
Why this is correct
Shodan is used for passive reconnaissance to identify targets.
- ✗
Delivery
Why it's wrong here
Delivery is transmitting the exploit to the target.
- ✗
Exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Exploitation occurs after delivery, leveraging a vulnerability.
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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.