Quick Answer
The answer is the TCP connect scan. This technique is most likely to succeed when scanning through a firewall blocking ICMP and dropping unsolicited SYN packets because it completes the full three-way handshake, making the connection appear as a legitimate outbound request from inside the network. Since the tester is behind the firewall, the SYN packet is sent as part of a normal connection attempt; if the port is open, the target responds with SYN-ACK, and the handshake finishes, bypassing the rule that drops unsolicited SYN packets. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how firewalls differentiate between inbound and outbound traffic—a common trap is choosing a SYN scan, which fails because its half-open nature triggers the firewall’s drop rule. Remember the memory tip: “Connect completes, SYN gets stopped.”
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 tester needs to identify all open ports on a target system behind a firewall that is blocking ICMP and dropping unsolicited SYN packets. Which of the following scanning techniques is most likely to succeed?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Ping sweep
Why wrong: Ping sweep uses ICMP, which is blocked.
TCP connect scan
Completes the three-way handshake, appearing as normal traffic.
FIN scan
Why wrong: FIN scan sends packets without the SYN flag; firewalls may drop or filter these.
UDP scan
Why wrong: UDP scan is not effective for TCP ports and may be unreliable.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
TCP connect scan
A TCP connect scan (option B) completes the full three-way handshake, which is more likely to succeed against a firewall that drops unsolicited SYN packets because the firewall may allow outbound connections initiated from inside the network. Since the tester is behind the firewall, the SYN packet is sent as part of a legitimate connection attempt, and if the port is open, the target responds with SYN-ACK, completing the handshake. This technique bypasses the firewall's rule against unsolicited SYN packets because the connection appears to be initiated from the trusted side.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Ping sweep
Why it's wrong here
Ping sweep uses ICMP, which is blocked.
TCP connect scan
Why this is correct
Completes the three-way handshake, appearing as normal traffic.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
FIN scan
Why it's wrong here
FIN scan sends packets without the SYN flag; firewalls may drop or filter these.
UDP scan
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates assume a FIN scan (option C) is stealthier and will bypass firewalls, but they overlook that the firewall is dropping unsolicited packets regardless of flag combinations, making the TCP connect scan the only viable option when the tester is behind the firewall.
Detailed technical explanation
A TCP connect scan uses the connect() system call to complete the three-way handshake, which is logged by the target system and can be detected by intrusion detection systems (IDS). In a real-world scenario, a firewall configured with stateful inspection will allow outbound SYN packets from the internal network but block inbound unsolicited SYNs, making the connect scan effective from inside the network. The key distinction is that the firewall's rule is direction-based, not protocol-based, so the connect scan leverages the allowed outbound direction.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All PT0-002 questions
509 questions across all exam domains
CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
PT0-002 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Planning and Scoping.
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning.
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Attacks and Exploits.
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Reporting and Communication.
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Tools and Code Analysis.
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to PT0-002 fundamentals.
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to PT0-002 scenario.
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to PT0-002 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — This question tests Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: TCP connect scan — A TCP connect scan (option B) completes the full three-way handshake, which is more likely to succeed against a firewall that drops unsolicited SYN packets because the firewall may allow outbound connections initiated from inside the network. Since the tester is behind the firewall, the SYN packet is sent as part of a legitimate connection attempt, and if the port is open, the target responds with SYN-ACK, completing the handshake. This technique bypasses the firewall's rule against unsolicited SYN packets because the connection appears to be initiated from the trusted side.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.