- A
SNMPv2c with a community string
Why wrong: SNMPv2c uses plaintext community strings and provides no encryption or authentication.
- B
SNMPv3 with authNoPriv
Why wrong: authNoPriv provides authentication but no encryption, so packets can be read in transit.
- C
SNMPv3 with authPriv
authPriv provides both authentication (e.g., SHA) and encryption (e.g., AES), satisfying the policy.
- D
SNMPv1 with a community string
Why wrong: SNMPv1, like v2c, is insecure and uses plaintext community strings.
Question 426 of 520
N10-009 SNMPv3 Security Levels Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network operations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: sNMPv3 Security Levels. 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.
A network administrator wants to monitor network devices using SNMP. The security policy requires both authentication and encryption of SNMP packets. Which SNMP version and security level should be configured?
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
✓
SNMPv3 with authPriv
SNMPv3 is the only version that supports both authentication and encryption. The security level 'authPriv' enables both authentication (via HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA) and encryption (via CBC-DES or CFB128-AES), meeting the policy requirement. SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c use only plaintext community strings with no security, while 'authNoPriv' provides authentication without encryption.
Key principle: SNMPv3 Security Levels
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SNMPv2c with a community string
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv2c uses plaintext community strings and provides no encryption or authentication.
When this WOULD be correct
A network administrator needs to monitor devices in a trusted internal network where security policy requires only authentication (no encryption) and simplicity; SNMPv2c with a community string would be correct.
- ✗
SNMPv3 with authNoPriv
Why it's wrong here
authNoPriv provides authentication but no encryption, so packets can be read in transit.
When this WOULD be correct
If the security policy required authentication only (no encryption), or if the question specified that encryption was not needed, then SNMPv3 with authNoPriv would be correct.
- ✓
SNMPv3 with authPriv
Why this is correct
authPriv provides both authentication (e.g., SHA) and encryption (e.g., AES), satisfying the policy.
Related concept
SNMPv3 Security Levels
- ✗
SNMPv1 with a community string
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv1, like v2c, is insecure and uses plaintext community strings.
When this WOULD be correct
A question that asks for the simplest SNMP version that provides basic monitoring without security requirements, such as 'Which SNMP version should be used on a small, trusted network where security is not a concern?'
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.
✓SNMPv3 with authPrivCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
authPriv provides both authentication (e.g., SHA) and encryption (e.g., AES), satisfying the policy.
✗SNMPv2c with a community stringWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SNMPv2c uses community strings for authentication only, with no encryption, failing the security policy's requirement for both authentication and encryption.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A network administrator needs to monitor devices in a trusted internal network where security policy requires only authentication (no encryption) and simplicity; SNMPv2c with a community string would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be familiar with SNMPv2c's simplicity and community strings, mistakenly believing they provide encryption or that the security policy's encryption requirement can be overlooked.
✗SNMPv3 with authNoPrivWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SNMPv3 with authNoPriv provides authentication but no encryption, failing the security policy requirement for both authentication and encryption.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the security policy required authentication only (no encryption), or if the question specified that encryption was not needed, then SNMPv3 with authNoPriv would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may know SNMPv3 supports authentication and mistakenly think authNoPriv includes encryption, or they overlook the 'both' requirement in the question.
✗SNMPv1 with a community stringWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SNMPv1 uses community strings for authentication only, with no encryption, failing the requirement for both authentication and encryption.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question that asks for the simplest SNMP version that provides basic monitoring without security requirements, such as 'Which SNMP version should be used on a small, trusted network where security is not a concern?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly think SNMPv1 is sufficient because it is widely known and simple, overlooking the explicit security requirement for encryption.
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 often confuse 'authNoPriv' with 'authPriv', assuming authentication alone satisfies security requirements, but the question explicitly demands both authentication and encryption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SNMPv3 defines three security levels: noAuthNoPriv (no security), authNoPriv (authentication only using HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA), and authPriv (authentication plus encryption using CBC-DES or CFB128-AES). The encryption in authPriv protects the payload of SNMP messages, including the community string equivalent (engineID and context), from eavesdropping. In production networks, authPriv is often required for compliance with standards like PCI-DSS or HIPAA when SNMP is used to monitor critical infrastructure.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SNMPv3 Security Levels
- authPriv
- SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c Security
- Privacy (Encryption) in SNMPv3
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
SNMPv3 Security Levels
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. SNMPv3 Security Levels Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review sNMPv3 Security Levels, then practise related N10-009 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Network Operations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Operations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All N10-009 questions
520 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA Network+ N10-009 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
N10-009 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related N10-009 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Networking Concepts practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Networking Concepts.
Network Implementation practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Implementation.
Network Operations practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Operations.
Network Security practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Security.
Network Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Troubleshooting.
Network+ network fundamentals practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network+ network fundamentals.
Practice this exam
Start a free N10-009 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Operations — This question tests Network Operations — SNMPv3 Security Levels.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SNMPv3 with authPriv — SNMPv3 is the only version that supports both authentication and encryption. The security level 'authPriv' enables both authentication (via HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA) and encryption (via CBC-DES or CFB128-AES), meeting the policy requirement. SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c use only plaintext community strings with no security, while 'authNoPriv' provides authentication without encryption.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Review sNMPv3 Security Levels, then practise related N10-009 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
SNMPv3 Security Levels
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More N10-009 practice questions
- Which of the following network devices operates primarily at Layer 2 of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward…
- Which of the following is a characteristic of UDP when compared to TCP?
- Which of the following IPv6 addresses is a valid link-local address?
- Which of the following security mechanisms requires a user to authenticate before gaining access to the wired network at…
- Which of the following network protocols operates at the Transport layer of the OSI model and provides connection-orient…
- Which of the following is a characteristic of a connectionless protocol at the transport layer?
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.