- A
Password spraying against many accounts with a low number of attempts per account.
This pattern matches low-and-slow password spraying, where one or a few common passwords are tried against many accounts to avoid lockouts.
- B
A brute-force attack focused on a single locked account.
Why wrong: Brute force usually involves many rapid attempts against one account, which is different from one failed attempt across many accounts.
- C
A replay attack using captured authentication data.
Why wrong: Replay attacks reuse valid authentication material, so the log pattern would not normally show many failed password attempts first.
- D
A port scan that accidentally triggered authentication failures.
Why wrong: Port scans probe services, but they do not usually produce organized login attempts across many distinct user accounts.
Quick Answer
The answer is a password spraying attack, as the SIEM logs reveal 36 distinct usernames each receiving a single failed login attempt from the same source IP over 20 minutes, followed by one successful login to an unrelated account. This pattern is the hallmark of password spraying because the attacker deliberately keeps attempts per account low—just one each—to evade account lockout policies, while casting a wide net across many usernames with common passwords. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish password spraying from brute-force attacks (which hammer a single account) or credential stuffing (which uses known password leaks). A common trap is mistaking the single success for a targeted breach, but the key is the low-and-slow distribution across accounts. Memory tip: think “spray the garden, don’t dig one hole”—the attacker waters many accounts with one weak password, hoping one sprouts.
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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 SIEM reviews VPN authentication logs and sees 36 different usernames each receive one failed login attempt from the same source IP over 20 minutes, followed by one successful login to an unrelated account. Which attack is most likely?
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.
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
Password spraying against many accounts with a low number of attempts per account.
The SIEM observed 36 different usernames each receiving one failed login attempt from the same source IP over 20 minutes, followed by one successful login to an unrelated account. This pattern is characteristic of a password spraying attack, where an attacker tries a small number of common passwords against many accounts to avoid account lockout thresholds, and then uses a successful credential to pivot to another account. The low number of attempts per account (one each) and the wide spread of usernames distinguish it from brute-force or targeted attacks.
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.
- ✓
Password spraying against many accounts with a low number of attempts per account.
Why this is correct
This pattern matches low-and-slow password spraying, where one or a few common passwords are tried against many accounts to avoid lockouts.
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.
- ✗
A brute-force attack focused on a single locked account.
Why it's wrong here
Brute force usually involves many rapid attempts against one account, which is different from one failed attempt across many accounts.
- ✗
A replay attack using captured authentication data.
Why it's wrong here
Replay attacks reuse valid authentication material, so the log pattern would not normally show many failed password attempts first.
- ✗
A port scan that accidentally triggered authentication failures.
Why it's wrong here
Port scans probe services, but they do not usually produce organized login attempts across many distinct user accounts.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse password spraying with brute-force attacks, but the key differentiator is the distribution of attempts across many accounts versus many attempts on a single account.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Replay attacks reuse valid authentication material, so the log pattern would not normally show many failed password attempts first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Password spraying exploits the fact that many organizations set account lockout policies to trigger after 5-10 failed attempts per account, so attackers distribute attempts across many accounts to stay under the threshold. In a real-world scenario, an attacker might use a tool like Hydra or a custom script to try passwords like 'Spring2024!' against thousands of usernames harvested from OSINT or directory enumeration. The successful login to an unrelated account suggests the attacker used a credential found from a previous spray or a common password that worked on a different account, then moved laterally.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Password spraying against many accounts with a low number of attempts per account. — The SIEM observed 36 different usernames each receiving one failed login attempt from the same source IP over 20 minutes, followed by one successful login to an unrelated account. This pattern is characteristic of a password spraying attack, where an attacker tries a small number of common passwords against many accounts to avoid account lockout thresholds, and then uses a successful credential to pivot to another account. The low number of attempts per account (one each) and the wide spread of usernames distinguish it from brute-force or targeted attacks.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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