easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-201 Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
Exhibit
Sep 10 12:34:56: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list 100 denied tcp 10.0.0.1(1234) -> 192.168.1.1(22), 1 packet Sep 10 12:34:57: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list 100 denied tcp 10.0.0.1(1235) -> 192.168.1.1(22), 1 packet Sep 10 12:34:58: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list 100 denied tcp 10.0.0.1(1236) -> 192.168.1.1(22), 1 packet
Refer to the exhibit. What type of activity does this log represent?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between a brute force attack (repeated authentication attempts) and a port scan (probing multiple ports), so the trap here is that candidates see multiple connection attempts and mistakenly think it is a port scan rather than recognizing the SSH-specific 'Failed password' messages.
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
✓
Brute force SSH attack.
The log shows repeated SSH connection attempts with 'Failed password' messages from the same source IP (10.10.0.5) to the same destination IP (10.10.0.3) for user 'admin'. This pattern of multiple failed authentication attempts in a short time window is characteristic of a brute force SSH attack, where an attacker systematically tries different passwords to gain unauthorized access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Man-in-the-middle attack.
Why it's wrong here
Man-in-the-middle requires interception, which is not indicated here.
- ✗
Denial-of-service (DoS) attack.
Why it's wrong here
DoS would likely involve many source IPs or high traffic volume.
- ✓
Brute force SSH attack.
Why this is correct
Repeated connections to port 22 from one source suggest SSH brute-force.
- ✗
Port scan.
Why it's wrong here
A port scan would typically target multiple ports, not just SSH.
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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.