PT0-002 Reconnaissance and Enumeration Practice Question
During a penetration test, you want to perform a stealthy port scan that minimizes the chance of being logged by the target. Which Nmap option should you use?
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
✓
-sS
SYN scan (-sS) is considered stealthy because it does not complete the TCP handshake, reducing the likelihood of being logged compared to a full connect scan.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
-sU
Why it's wrong here
UDP scan is not stealthy; it can be slow and is often logged.
- ✗
-sV
Why it's wrong here
Version detection is a feature, not a scan type; it can be combined with other scans.
- ✗
-sT
Why it's wrong here
TCP connect scan completes the handshake and is more likely to be logged.
- ✓
-sS
Why this is correct
SYN scan is half-open and less likely to be logged.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PT0-003 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 PT0-003 exam.