200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
Which type of attack is indicated by a series of SMB authentication attempts from one host to multiple other hosts in a short time frame?
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
✓
Lateral movement
Lateral movement often involves propagating across hosts using SMB for remote access and authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Lateral movement
Why this is correct
SMB authentication attempts across hosts is typical of lateral movement.
- ✗
Port scanning
Why it's wrong here
Port scanning uses TCP/UDP probes, not SMB auth.
- ✗
C2 beaconing
Why it's wrong here
C2 involves outbound connections to command server.
- ✗
DNS exfiltration
Why it's wrong here
DNS exfiltration uses DNS queries.
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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.