Quick Answer
The correct answer is Slowloris, as this attack technique is specifically designed to flood a web server with many incomplete HTTP requests, keeping those connections open and gradually exhausting the server’s connection pool until it can no longer accept legitimate traffic. This works because Slowloris sends partial headers—never completing the request—forcing the server to wait indefinitely, which consumes available sockets. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this question tests your understanding of application-layer DDoS attacks versus network-layer floods; a common trap is confusing Slowloris with a SYN flood, but remember that Slowloris operates at Layer 7 using HTTP, not TCP handshakes. To lock it in, think of the name: “Slow” because it sends data slowly, and “loris” as in the slow-moving primate—a perfect mnemonic for an attack that crawls to cause maximum damage.
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of malware, social engineering and network attacks. 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.
An organization experiences a DDoS attack where the attacker sends many incomplete HTTP requests that keep connections open, exhausting the server's connection pool. Which attack technique is being used?
UDP flood
Why wrong: UDP flood sends many UDP packets, not HTTP requests.
HTTP flood
Why wrong: HTTP flood sends many complete requests, not partial ones.
SYN flood
Why wrong: SYN flood targets the TCP handshake, not HTTP connections.
Slowloris
Slowloris sends partial HTTP headers slowly, holding connections open until the server's limit is reached.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Slowloris
Slowloris is an application-layer DDoS attack that sends partial HTTP requests to keep many connections open, eventually exhausting the server's resources.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
UDP flood
HTTP flood
Why it's wrong here
HTTP flood sends many complete requests, not partial ones.
SYN flood
Slowloris
Why this is correct
Slowloris sends partial HTTP headers slowly, holding connections open until the server's limit is reached.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CEH exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which CEH 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
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — This question tests Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Slowloris — Slowloris is an application-layer DDoS attack that sends partial HTTP requests to keep many connections open, eventually exhausting the server's resources.
Identify which CEH 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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which THREE of the following are indicators of a slowloris DDoS attack?
hardWhy B: B is correct because a Slowloris DDoS attack works by opening many connections to a target web server and keeping them open for as long as possible, sending partial HTTP requests to tie up server resources. This results in normal traffic volume but with connections that remain open for extended periods, preventing legitimate users from connecting.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CEH exam.
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