- A
Social engineering
Why wrong: Social engineering involves direct interaction; active.
- B
Certificate transparency logs (crt.sh)
Certificate logs are publicly accessible and passive.
- C
snmpwalk
Why wrong: snmpwalk queries SNMP devices; active.
- D
WHOIS databases
WHOIS is a public database queried passively.
- E
Nmap SYN scan
Why wrong: Nmap sends packets to the target; active.
Question 953 of 1,000
PT0-002 Practice Question: Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of information gathering and vulnerability scanning. 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.
A penetration tester is conducting passive reconnaissance using OSINT techniques. Which TWO of the following are examples of passive OSINT sources?
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
✓
Certificate transparency logs (crt.sh)
Certificate transparency logs (crt.sh) are a passive OSINT source because they provide publicly accessible records of SSL/TLS certificates issued for domains. A penetration tester can query these logs without interacting with the target's systems, making it a non-intrusive information-gathering technique.
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.
- ✗
Social engineering
Why it's wrong here
Social engineering involves direct interaction; active.
- ✓
Certificate transparency logs (crt.sh)
Why this is correct
Certificate logs are publicly accessible and passive.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
snmpwalk
Why it's wrong here
snmpwalk queries SNMP devices; active.
- ✓
WHOIS databases
Why this is correct
WHOIS is a public database queried passively.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Nmap SYN scan
Why it's wrong here
Nmap sends packets to the target; active.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between passive reconnaissance (no direct interaction with the target) and active reconnaissance (generates traffic or requires interaction), and candidates may mistakenly classify tools like snmpwalk or Nmap scans as passive because they are automated or do not require credentials.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Certificate transparency logs are append-only public ledgers that record every SSL/TLS certificate issued by a Certificate Authority (CA). Tools like crt.sh aggregate these logs, allowing testers to discover subdomains, expired certificates, and certificate misconfigurations without any direct contact with the target's infrastructure. In real-world engagements, this can reveal hidden subdomains or legacy services that are not listed in DNS records.
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
An employee at a financial services firm receives an email that appears to come from the IT helpdesk, asking them to reset their password via a link. The link leads to a convincing fake portal that harvests credentials. Security teams use phishing simulations and security-awareness training to reduce this attack vector. Questions like this test whether you can identify social engineering techniques and appropriate controls.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PT0-002 question test?
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — This question tests Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Certificate transparency logs (crt.sh) — Certificate transparency logs (crt.sh) are a passive OSINT source because they provide publicly accessible records of SSL/TLS certificates issued for domains. A penetration tester can query these logs without interacting with the target's systems, making it a non-intrusive information-gathering technique.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PT0-002 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 PT0-002 exam.
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