Question 101 of 1,000

Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

PT0-002 Practice Question: Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning

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.

While performing vulnerability scanning, a penetration tester runs a Nessus scan against a web server. The report shows a 'critical' finding, but after manual verification, the tester determines the service is not actually vulnerable. This scenario best describes:

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.

A
A false negative
Why wrong: A false negative is when the scanner misses an actual vulnerability.
B
A configuration error
Why wrong: Configuration error could be the cause, but the term for an incorrect alert is false positive.
C
A false positive
The scanner flagged a vulnerability that manual testing proved not present, so it's a false positive.
D
A true positive
Why wrong: A true positive means the vulnerability exists, which is not the case here.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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 false positive

A false positive is when a scanner reports a vulnerability that does not actually exist. Penetration testers must verify scanner findings to avoid reporting false positives.

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 false negative
Why it's wrong here
A false negative is when the scanner misses an actual vulnerability.
✗
A configuration error
Why it's wrong here
Configuration error could be the cause, but the term for an incorrect alert is false positive.
✓
A false positive
Why this is correct
The scanner flagged a vulnerability that manual testing proved not present, so it's a false positive.
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 true positive
Why it's wrong here
A true positive means the vulnerability exists, which is not the case here.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
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 PT0-002 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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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 false positive — A false positive is when a scanner reports a vulnerability that does not actually exist. Penetration testers must verify scanner findings to avoid reporting false positives.

What should I do if I get this PT0-002 question wrong?

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

Question Discussion

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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.