- A
Brute force attack
Why wrong: A brute force attack typically targets a single username with many password attempts. The logs show many usernames with one password, not one username with many passwords.
- B
Password spraying attack
Correct. Password spraying involves trying a small number of common passwords against many accounts to avoid detection and lockout. The single password used across numerous usernames is the hallmark of this attack.
- C
Credential stuffing attack
Why wrong: Credential stuffing uses known username and password pairs from previous breaches. The logs show the same password for different usernames, not unique compromised credentials.
- D
Dictionary attack
Why wrong: A dictionary attack is a type of brute force that tries multiple passwords from a wordlist against a single username. This scenario uses one password against many usernames, ruling out a dictionary attack.
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. A key principle to apply: password spraying uses one password against many usernames.. 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 security analyst is reviewing authentication logs from a corporate web application. The logs show that over a span of two hours, a single external IP address attempted to log in with 500 different usernames, each using the same password 'Spring2024!'. Only a few of these attempts succeeded. Which type of attack is most likely being observed?
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 attack
This is a password spraying attack because the attacker uses a single common password ('Spring2024!') against many different usernames. This technique avoids account lockout policies that typically trigger after multiple failed attempts on a single account, and the few successful logins indicate valid credentials were found.
Key principle: Password spraying uses one password against many usernames.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Brute force attack
Why it's wrong here
A brute force attack typically targets a single username with many password attempts. The logs show many usernames with one password, not one username with many passwords.
When this WOULD be correct
A brute force attack would be correct if the logs showed a single username being targeted with many different password attempts (e.g., thousands of passwords against one account).
- ✓
Password spraying attack
Why this is correct
Correct. Password spraying involves trying a small number of common passwords against many accounts to avoid detection and lockout. The single password used across numerous usernames is the hallmark of this attack.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Password spraying uses one password against many usernames.
- ✗
Credential stuffing attack
Why it's wrong here
Credential stuffing uses known username and password pairs from previous breaches. The logs show the same password for different usernames, not unique compromised credentials.
When this WOULD be correct
An exam scenario where logs show multiple login attempts using different username/password combinations that match known credential dumps from previous breaches, with many successful logins due to password reuse.
- ✗
Dictionary attack
Why it's wrong here
A dictionary attack is a type of brute force that tries multiple passwords from a wordlist against a single username. This scenario uses one password against many usernames, ruling out a dictionary attack.
When this WOULD be correct
A security analyst observes logs showing a single username being targeted with hundreds of different passwords from a common password list, with a few successful logins. This would indicate a dictionary attack.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The SY0-701 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Password spraying attackCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. Password spraying involves trying a small number of common passwords against many accounts to avoid detection and lockout. The single password used across numerous usernames is the hallmark of this attack.
✗Brute force attackWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A brute force attack typically tries many passwords against a single username, but here one password is tried against many usernames, which is characteristic of password spraying.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A brute force attack would be correct if the logs showed a single username being targeted with many different password attempts (e.g., thousands of passwords against one account).
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'brute force' as any attack that tries many login attempts, not realizing the specific pattern of password spraying uses one password across many usernames.
✗Credential stuffing attackWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Credential stuffing uses previously leaked username/password pairs, not a single password across many usernames. The attack here uses the same password for all attempts, which is characteristic of password spraying.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
An exam scenario where logs show multiple login attempts using different username/password combinations that match known credential dumps from previous breaches, with many successful logins due to password reuse.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse credential stuffing with password spraying because both involve many usernames, but they forget that credential stuffing relies on known password pairs, not a single password.
✗Dictionary attackWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A dictionary attack typically uses a list of common passwords against a single username, but here the attacker used one password against many usernames, which is characteristic of password spraying.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A security analyst observes logs showing a single username being targeted with hundreds of different passwords from a common password list, with a few successful logins. This would indicate a dictionary attack.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'dictionary attack' with any attack using a list of common passwords, not realizing that the direction (many passwords per user vs. one password per many users) distinguishes it from password spraying.
Analysis generated from the official SY0-701blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing password spraying with brute force: candidates see 'same password' and think brute force, but the key distinction is the attacker targets many usernames with one password, not one username with many passwords.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A brute force attack typically targets a single username with many password attempts. The logs show many usernames with one password, not one username with many passwords.
Scenario analysis trap
A dictionary attack is a type of brute force that tries multiple passwords from a wordlist against a single username. This scenario uses one password against many usernames, ruling out a dictionary attack.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Password spraying exploits the fact that many organizations enforce account lockout after 5-10 failed attempts per user, but do not lock out across multiple users. Attackers often use seasonal or common passwords (e.g., 'Spring2024!') harvested from password dumps or social engineering. In real-world scenarios, this attack is frequently combined with OSINT to identify valid usernames from email formats or LinkedIn.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Password spraying uses one password against many usernames.
- It aims to avoid account lockout policies.
- Often uses common or default passwords.
- More stealthy than traditional brute force attacks.
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
Password spraying uses one password against many usernames.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Password spraying uses one password against many usernames. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review password spraying uses one password against many usernames., then practise related SY0-701 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Password spraying uses one password against many usernames..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Password spraying attack — This is a password spraying attack because the attacker uses a single common password ('Spring2024!') against many different usernames. This technique avoids account lockout policies that typically trigger after multiple failed attempts on a single account, and the few successful logins indicate valid credentials were found.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Review password spraying uses one password against many usernames., then practise related SY0-701 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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?
Password spraying uses one password against many usernames.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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