- A
nmap -sS -sV 192.168.1.0/24
Why wrong: This combines SYN scan and version detection, which is too noisy for initial discovery.
- B
nmap -A 192.168.1.0/24
Why wrong: Aggressive scan includes OS detection, version detection, and scripts, which is noisy.
- C
nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24
Correct. Ping sweep quickly identifies live hosts.
- D
nmap -sT 192.168.1.0/24
Why wrong: TCP connect scan is slower and more detectable.
Question 669 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. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 tasked with performing active reconnaissance on an internal network. The tester wants to identify live hosts and their open ports efficiently while minimizing noise. Which Nmap scan type should be used first to quickly discover which hosts are online?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
✓
nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24
Option C is correct because the `-sn` flag (ping scan) sends ICMP echo requests, TCP SYN to port 443, TCP ACK to port 80, and ICMP timestamp requests by default to determine if hosts are online without performing port scans. This minimizes network noise and quickly identifies live hosts on the subnet, which is the first step in active reconnaissance before deeper scanning.
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.
- ✗
nmap -sS -sV 192.168.1.0/24
Why it's wrong here
This combines SYN scan and version detection, which is too noisy for initial discovery.
- ✗
nmap -A 192.168.1.0/24
Why it's wrong here
Aggressive scan includes OS detection, version detection, and scripts, which is noisy.
- ✓
nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24
Why this is correct
Correct. Ping sweep quickly identifies live hosts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
nmap -sT 192.168.1.0/24
Why it's wrong here
TCP connect scan is slower and more detectable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose a full port scan (like `-sS` or `-sT`) for host discovery, not realizing that `-sn` is the dedicated, low-noise method for identifying live hosts without scanning ports.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `-sn` scan uses a default host discovery probe set that includes an ICMP echo request, a TCP SYN to port 443, a TCP ACK to port 80, and an ICMP timestamp request, per Nmap's host discovery logic. In practice, if firewalls block ICMP, the TCP probes often still elicit responses from live hosts, making `-sn` more reliable than a simple ping. This scan type is also known as a 'ping sweep' and is the standard first step in the Nmap host discovery phase before any port scanning.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
Visual reference
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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Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — study guide chapter
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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: nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24 — Option C is correct because the `-sn` flag (ping scan) sends ICMP echo requests, TCP SYN to port 443, TCP ACK to port 80, and ICMP timestamp requests by default to determine if hosts are online without performing port scans. This minimizes network noise and quickly identifies live hosts on the subnet, which is the first step in active reconnaissance before deeper scanning.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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