- A
A vulnerability that is correctly identified and verified.
Why wrong: That is a true positive.
- B
A vulnerability that is exploited during the test.
Why wrong: That is an exploit, not a false positive.
- C
A vulnerability that the scanner reports but does not actually exist.
A false positive is an incorrect identification of a vulnerability.
- D
A vulnerability that exists but the scanner fails to detect it.
Why wrong: That is a false negative.
Question 937 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. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
When performing vulnerability scanning, which of the following best describes a false positive?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
A vulnerability that the scanner reports but does not actually exist.
A false positive in vulnerability scanning occurs when the scanner reports a vulnerability that does not actually exist. This is option C. False positives are caused by factors such as overly aggressive signature matching, misconfigured scan profiles, or incomplete verification of service responses. They waste resources by prompting unnecessary remediation efforts.
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.
- ✗
A vulnerability that is correctly identified and verified.
Why it's wrong here
That is a true positive.
- ✗
A vulnerability that is exploited during the test.
Why it's wrong here
That is an exploit, not a false positive.
- ✓
A vulnerability that the scanner reports but does not actually exist.
Why this is correct
A false positive is an incorrect identification of a vulnerability.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A vulnerability that exists but the scanner fails to detect it.
Why it's wrong here
That is a false negative.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing false positives with false negatives; candidates often pick option D because they misremember the definition, but false negatives are missed vulnerabilities, not incorrect reports.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
False positives often arise from banner grabbing mismatches, where a service runs on a non-default port and the scanner misidentifies it (e.g., a web server on port 8080 being flagged for a vulnerability specific to a different service). Scanners like Nessus or OpenVAS use plugin-based checks that may trigger on outdated software versions even if the actual vulnerability is mitigated by a configuration change. In real-world scenarios, false positives can lead to alert fatigue, causing security teams to overlook genuine threats.
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
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: A vulnerability that the scanner reports but does not actually exist. — A false positive in vulnerability scanning occurs when the scanner reports a vulnerability that does not actually exist. This is option C. False positives are caused by factors such as overly aggressive signature matching, misconfigured scan profiles, or incomplete verification of service responses. They waste resources by prompting unnecessary remediation efforts.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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