- A
Brute force attack
A brute force attack systematically tries passwords or encryption keys. In this case, repeated SSH login attempts from one IP are classic signs of a password guessing attempt.
- B
Man-in-the-middle attack
Why wrong: A man-in-the-middle attack intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties. It does not typically manifest as repeated login attempts from a single IP on a firewall log.
- C
ARP poisoning
Why wrong: ARP poisoning sends fake ARP replies to associate the attacker's MAC address with the IP of a legitimate device, enabling traffic interception. It occurs on the local network and would not appear as repeated SSH attempts from an external IP.
- D
DDoS attack
Why wrong: A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack floods a target with traffic from many sources to overwhelm it. A single source attempting logins does not constitute a DDoS.
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
A security auditor is reviewing firewall logs and notices repeated login attempts from a single external IP address to the company's SSH server. Which type of attack is likely occurring?
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 attack
Repeated login attempts from a single external IP to an SSH server are characteristic of a brute force attack, where an attacker systematically tries many username/password combinations to gain unauthorized access. SSH (port 22) is a common target because it provides remote shell access, and automated tools like Hydra or Medusa can rapidly test credentials. The firewall logs show multiple failed authentication attempts from the same source, which is the hallmark of this attack type.
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.
- ✓
Brute force attack
Why this is correct
A brute force attack systematically tries passwords or encryption keys. In this case, repeated SSH login attempts from one IP are classic signs of a password guessing attempt.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Man-in-the-middle attack
Why it's wrong here
A man-in-the-middle attack intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties. It does not typically manifest as repeated login attempts from a single IP on a firewall log.
- ✗
ARP poisoning
Why it's wrong here
ARP poisoning sends fake ARP replies to associate the attacker's MAC address with the IP of a legitimate device, enabling traffic interception. It occurs on the local network and would not appear as repeated SSH attempts from an external IP.
When this WOULD be correct
A question describing an attacker on the same subnet sending forged ARP replies to associate the attacker's MAC address with the default gateway's IP, causing traffic to be redirected to the attacker, would make ARP poisoning the correct answer.
- ✗
DDoS attack
Why it's wrong here
A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack floods a target with traffic from many sources to overwhelm it. A single source attempting logins does not constitute a DDoS.
When this WOULD be correct
A DDoS attack would be correct if the question described a flood of traffic from many distributed sources (e.g., botnet) targeting the SSH server, causing service unavailability, rather than repeated login attempts from one IP.
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.
✓Brute force attackCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A brute force attack systematically tries passwords or encryption keys. In this case, repeated SSH login attempts from one IP are classic signs of a password guessing attempt.
✗Man-in-the-middle attackWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A man-in-the-middle attack involves intercepting communication between two parties, not repeated login attempts from a single external IP to an SSH server.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question describing an attacker intercepting SSH traffic between a client and server, possibly using ARP spoofing or a rogue access point, to capture credentials or session data.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse repeated login attempts with an active interception attack, or think SSH brute force involves intercepting authentication traffic.
✗ARP poisoningWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
ARP poisoning operates at Layer 2 by corrupting ARP tables to intercept traffic on a local network, whereas the question describes repeated login attempts from a single external IP to an SSH server, which is a Layer 7 authentication attack.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question describing an attacker on the same subnet sending forged ARP replies to associate the attacker's MAC address with the default gateway's IP, causing traffic to be redirected to the attacker, would make ARP poisoning the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse network-based attacks like ARP poisoning with brute force attacks, or mistakenly think that repeated login attempts involve intercepting credentials, which is a characteristic of man-in-the-middle attacks, not ARP poisoning.
✗DDoS attackWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A DDoS attack aims to overwhelm a service with traffic from multiple sources, causing denial of service. This scenario describes repeated login attempts from a single IP, which is characteristic of a brute force attack, not a DDoS.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A DDoS attack would be correct if the question described a flood of traffic from many distributed sources (e.g., botnet) targeting the SSH server, causing service unavailability, rather than repeated login attempts from one IP.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse repeated attempts with a denial of service, or think that any high volume of traffic from one source qualifies as DDoS, overlooking the distributed nature requirement.
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 N10-009 exam often tests the distinction between a brute force attack (repeated single-source login attempts) and a DDoS attack (traffic flood from multiple sources), so candidates mistakenly choose DDoS when they see 'repeated attempts' without recognizing the single-source, credential-guessing nature of the activity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH brute force attacks often target default ports and common usernames (e.g., 'root', 'admin') using wordlists like RockYou. Rate limiting, fail2ban, or SSH key-based authentication can mitigate such attacks, but firewall logs showing repeated SYN packets to port 22 with subsequent RST or timeout after failed auth attempts confirm the pattern. In real-world scenarios, attackers may rotate IPs via proxies to evade detection, but a single IP indicates a less sophisticated or early-stage 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Network Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Security 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 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: Brute force attack — Repeated login attempts from a single external IP to an SSH server are characteristic of a brute force attack, where an attacker systematically tries many username/password combinations to gain unauthorized access. SSH (port 22) is a common target because it provides remote shell access, and automated tools like Hydra or Medusa can rapidly test credentials. The firewall logs show multiple failed authentication attempts from the same source, which is the hallmark of this attack type.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.