Users on the internal Wi-Fi report that the finance portal suddenly resolves to a different IP address, and the browser shows a fake login page that closely matches the real site. The DNS resolver cache on the network also contains unexpected entries for that host name. What attack is most likely?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Distractor review
Denial-of-service, because the attacker is overwhelming the portal with traffic.
A denial-of-service attack aims to exhaust availability, usually by flooding a target. Here, the attacker is serving a fake destination rather than making the real site unavailable.
Distractor review
ARP spoofing, because the attacker is changing the MAC address used on the local network.
ARP spoofing targets Layer 2 address resolution, usually affecting traffic within the same local segment. The key symptom here is a changed name resolution result in DNS.
Best answer
DNS poisoning, because the attacker has corrupted name resolution so users are sent to a malicious destination.
DNS poisoning fits the evidence because the resolver cache contains bad entries and users are being directed to a fake site through altered name resolution. That lets the attacker redirect traffic without changing the user’s bookmarks or typing habits.
Distractor review
Port scanning, because the attacker is probing internal services for open ports.
Port scanning is reconnaissance against services, not a method for redirecting a domain name to a counterfeit web page.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DNS poisoning, because the attacker has corrupted name resolution so users are sent to a malicious destination. — DNS poisoning is the best fit because the name resolution layer has been manipulated, causing clients to reach a malicious IP for a legitimate hostname. The fake login page and unexpected DNS cache entries reinforce that the attacker is redirecting traffic through corrupted DNS data. Defenders should verify resolver integrity, clear bad cache entries, and inspect for unauthorized DNS changes. Why others are wrong: ARP spoofing would affect local address resolution, not hostname lookups. Port scanning is reconnaissance and does not create a counterfeit portal. DoS attacks reduce availability by overwhelming a service, but the scenario centers on traffic redirection and fraudulent resolution rather than service exhaustion.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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