- A
ARP poisoning
Why wrong: ARP poisoning is a method used to redirect traffic to an attacker's machine, but it is not the attack itself. The described behavior (decrypting and re-encrypting) is MITM.
- B
SSL stripping
Why wrong: SSL stripping downgrades a secure HTTPS connection to insecure HTTP. The scenario involves decrypting and re-encrypting, not downgrading, so it is more accurately an MITM using a proxy.
- C
Man-in-the-middle
An MITM attack intercepts traffic between two endpoints, often using a proxy to decrypt and re-encrypt, allowing the attacker to read or modify the data without the parties realizing.
- D
Rogue DHCP
Why wrong: A rogue DHCP server assigns incorrect IP configurations, potentially redirecting traffic, but it does not involve decrypting and re-encrypting TLS traffic directly.
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During a security audit, a consultant discovers that encrypted traffic between a client and a web server is being decrypted and re-encrypted by an intermediate device on the network path. Which type of attack best describes this scenario?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Option C is correct because the scenario describes a classic man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack where an intermediary intercepts, decrypts, and re-encrypts traffic between the client and server. This allows the attacker to read or modify the data while both endpoints believe they have a secure TLS session. The key indicator is the decryption and re-encryption step, which is the hallmark of an active MITM proxy.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ARP poisoning
Why it's wrong here
ARP poisoning is a method used to redirect traffic to an attacker's machine, but it is not the attack itself. The described behavior (decrypting and re-encrypting) is MITM.
When this WOULD be correct
ARP poisoning would be correct in a scenario where an attacker sends forged ARP messages to associate their MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate device, causing traffic to be redirected to the attacker without any decryption or re-encryption, such as in a simple traffic interception or denial-of-service attack.
- ✗
SSL stripping
- ✓
Man-in-the-middle
Why this is correct
An MITM attack intercepts traffic between two endpoints, often using a proxy to decrypt and re-encrypt, allowing the attacker to read or modify the data without the parties realizing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Rogue DHCP
Why it's wrong here
A rogue DHCP server assigns incorrect IP configurations, potentially redirecting traffic, but it does not involve decrypting and re-encrypting TLS traffic directly.
When this WOULD be correct
A question describing a user receiving an incorrect default gateway or DNS server from a DHCP server, leading to traffic being redirected to a malicious host, would make rogue DHCP the correct answer.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Man-in-the-middleCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
An MITM attack intercepts traffic between two endpoints, often using a proxy to decrypt and re-encrypt, allowing the attacker to read or modify the data without the parties realizing.
✗ARP poisoningWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
ARP poisoning involves manipulating ARP tables to intercept traffic at layer 2, but it does not inherently decrypt and re-encrypt encrypted traffic; it only redirects traffic. The scenario describes decryption and re-encryption, which is characteristic of a man-in-the-middle attack, not ARP poisoning alone.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
ARP poisoning would be correct in a scenario where an attacker sends forged ARP messages to associate their MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate device, causing traffic to be redirected to the attacker without any decryption or re-encryption, such as in a simple traffic interception or denial-of-service attack.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse ARP poisoning with man-in-the-middle because ARP poisoning is a common technique used to facilitate MITM attacks at the local network level, leading them to select it as the attack type rather than the overarching concept.
✗SSL strippingWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SSL stripping downgrades HTTPS to HTTP, but the scenario describes decryption and re-encryption of encrypted traffic, which is characteristic of a man-in-the-middle attack, not SSL stripping.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question describing an attack where a proxy modifies HTTPS links to HTTP in transit, causing the client to communicate over unencrypted HTTP while the proxy maintains HTTPS with the server, would make SSL stripping the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates confuse SSL stripping with any attack that intercepts encrypted traffic, but SSL stripping specifically downgrades the protocol, not just decrypts and re-encrypts.
✗Rogue DHCPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Rogue DHCP involves an unauthorized DHCP server assigning IP configurations, not intercepting and re-encrypting traffic. The scenario describes decryption and re-encryption, which is a man-in-the-middle attack, not DHCP-related.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question describing a user receiving an incorrect default gateway or DNS server from a DHCP server, leading to traffic being redirected to a malicious host, would make rogue DHCP the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse rogue DHCP with man-in-the-middle because both involve intercepting traffic, but rogue DHCP specifically exploits DHCP to redirect traffic, not to decrypt/re-encrypt it.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the method (e.g., ARP poisoning) with the attack type (MITM), or they mistake SSL stripping for any interception of encrypted traffic, not realizing that SSL stripping removes encryption entirely rather than re-encrypting it.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
SSL stripping downgrades a secure HTTPS connection to insecure HTTP. The scenario involves decrypting and re-encrypting, not downgrading, so it is more accurately an MITM using a proxy.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a MITM attack against TLS, the attacker typically presents a self-signed or forged certificate to the client, while establishing a separate TLS session with the server. This requires the client to trust the attacker's certificate, often achieved via a compromised CA or local trust store. In real-world scenarios, such as corporate SSL inspection, this same decryption/re-encryption process is used legitimately, but without authorization it constitutes an attack.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the N10-009 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Man-in-the-middle — Option C is correct because the scenario describes a classic man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack where an intermediary intercepts, decrypts, and re-encrypts traffic between the client and server. This allows the attacker to read or modify the data while both endpoints believe they have a secure TLS session. The key indicator is the decryption and re-encryption step, which is the hallmark of an active MITM proxy.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This N10-009 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 N10-009 exam.
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