easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped

A penetration tester is conducting passive reconnaissance on a target organization. Which technique can be used to discover subdomains of the target's domain without sending any packets to the target's network?

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A penetration tester is conducting passive reconnaissance on a target organization. Which technique can be used to discover subdomains of the target's domain without sending any packets to the target's network?

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.

A

Distractor review

Performing a DNS brute-force attack against the target's domain

DNS brute force sends queries to DNS servers, which may be logged by the target.

B

Best answer

Using the 'site:' operator in a search engine query

Search engines index subdomains; querying 'site:example.com' reveals them passively.

C

Distractor review

Sending ICMP echo requests to potential subdomain IP addresses

ICMP requests are active and may be detected by intrusion detection systems.

D

Distractor review

Querying WHOIS databases for domain registration information

WHOIS provides registration info, not subdomains.

Common exam trap

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Technical deep dive

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

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.
  • Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

  • Underline the problem statement mentally.
  • 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.

Related practice questions

Related PT0-002 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

More questions from this exam

Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this PT0-002 question test?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Using the 'site:' operator in a search engine query — Using Google dorking with the 'site:' operator is a passive technique that relies on search engine caches and indexes, generating no direct traffic to the target. DNS brute force, ICMP requests, and WHOIS queries either involve direct interaction or are not primarily for subdomain discovery.

What should I do if I get this PT0-002 question wrong?

Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.

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