- A
Perform a full TCP connect scan on all 65535 ports for each IP address.
Why wrong: This is extremely inefficient as it scans all ports on every IP, including ones that are not even alive, wasting time and bandwidth.
- B
Use a ping sweep to identify live hosts, then run a SYN scan on port 80 for those hosts.
A ping sweep quickly finds responsive IPs, and then a SYN scan on only those hosts for the single port is highly efficient.
- C
Run a SYN scan on port 80 for every IP in the subnet without ping probing.
Why wrong: This scans all 256 IPs even if many are offline, generating unnecessary traffic. It is less efficient than first determining which hosts are alive.
- D
Use ARP requests to map the subnet and then check for port 80 on each host.
Why wrong: ARP requests work only on the local subnet and do not reliably determine if a host is alive for remote scanning; also, they cannot traverse routers.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use a ping sweep to identify live hosts, then run a SYN scan on port 80 for those hosts. This two-step approach is the most efficient host discovery method because a ping sweep quickly filters the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet for responsive devices, drastically reducing the number of targets before performing a focused port scan. A SYN scan on only the live hosts is faster and less intrusive than scanning all 254 IPs or all ports, minimizing network traffic while accurately locating HTTP services. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this question tests your understanding of active reconnaissance efficiency and the principle of reducing attack surface before scanning. A common trap is to scan all ports on every IP first, which wastes time and generates excessive noise. Remember the memory tip: “Ping first, scan the survivors”—always prioritize host discovery to streamline your port scan and stay stealthy.
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 performing active reconnaissance on a target network. The tester wants to identify all live hosts in the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet and determine which ones have port 80 open. Which technique is most efficient for this task?
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
Use a ping sweep to identify live hosts, then run a SYN scan on port 80 for those hosts.
Option B is correct because it combines two efficient steps: first, a ping sweep (ICMP Echo Request or ARP scan) identifies live hosts in the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet, reducing the number of targets; second, a SYN scan on port 80 for only those live hosts is faster and less intrusive than scanning all ports or all IPs without prior host discovery. This approach minimizes network traffic and scan time while accurately identifying hosts with HTTP services.
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.
- ✗
Perform a full TCP connect scan on all 65535 ports for each IP address.
Why it's wrong here
This is extremely inefficient as it scans all ports on every IP, including ones that are not even alive, wasting time and bandwidth.
- ✓
Use a ping sweep to identify live hosts, then run a SYN scan on port 80 for those hosts.
Why this is correct
A ping sweep quickly finds responsive IPs, and then a SYN scan on only those hosts for the single port is highly efficient.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run a SYN scan on port 80 for every IP in the subnet without ping probing.
Why it's wrong here
This scans all 256 IPs even if many are offline, generating unnecessary traffic. It is less efficient than first determining which hosts are alive.
- ✗
Use ARP requests to map the subnet and then check for port 80 on each host.
Why it's wrong here
ARP requests work only on the local subnet and do not reliably determine if a host is alive for remote scanning; also, they cannot traverse routers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose option C, thinking that skipping ping probing saves time, but they overlook the inefficiency of scanning all 256 IPs (including many dead hosts) versus first identifying live hosts to reduce the scan scope.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A ping sweep typically uses ICMP Echo Requests (Type 8) or, on local networks, ARP requests to discover live hosts; ARP is more reliable because it does not rely on ICMP being enabled. The SYN scan (half-open scan) sends a TCP SYN packet to port 80 and waits for a SYN-ACK (open) or RST (closed), avoiding the completion of the TCP three-way handshake, which reduces log generation and is faster than a full connect scan. In real-world scenarios, firewalls may block ICMP, so combining ARP-based discovery (for local subnets) with SYN scanning ensures accuracy even when ping probes fail.
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.
What to study next
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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: Use a ping sweep to identify live hosts, then run a SYN scan on port 80 for those hosts. — Option B is correct because it combines two efficient steps: first, a ping sweep (ICMP Echo Request or ARP scan) identifies live hosts in the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet, reducing the number of targets; second, a SYN scan on port 80 for only those live hosts is faster and less intrusive than scanning all ports or all IPs without prior host discovery. This approach minimizes network traffic and scan time while accurately identifying hosts with HTTP services.
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: Jun 11, 2026
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