- A
Retrieve all PDF files from example.com regardless of content
Why wrong: The 'inurl:confidential' filter restricts results, so not all PDFs are returned.
- B
Identify all web pages on example.com that link to PDF files
Why wrong: This dork does not search for links; it searches for indexed PDF files directly.
- C
Find PDF files on example.com that have 'confidential' in their filename or path
The 'inurl:confidential' operator matches the string 'confidential' anywhere in the URL, which includes filenames and directory paths. Combined with 'filetype:pdf', this finds PDFs with 'confidential' in the URL.
- D
Discover PDF files that contain the word 'confidential' on example.com
Why wrong: The dork searches for PDF files with 'confidential' in the URL, not necessarily in the content. The 'inurl:' operator targets URL text.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to find PDF files on example.com that have 'confidential' in their filename or path. This Google dork combines three operators: `site:example.com` restricts the search to that domain, `filetype:pdf` filters for PDF documents, and `inurl:confidential` matches any URL containing the word "confidential" in the file name or directory path. The `inurl` operator scans the URL string, not the document’s text content, so it targets files whose location or name includes the keyword. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this question tests your understanding of advanced Google hacking techniques for reconnaissance, specifically how operators like `inurl` and `filetype` narrow results to sensitive resources. A common trap is confusing `inurl` with `intext`—the former looks at the URL, the latter at the page content. For a memory tip, remember "URL for location, text for content" to avoid mixing them up during the exam.
CEH Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of footprinting, reconnaissance and 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.
A penetration tester uses the following Google dork: site:example.com filetype:pdf inurl:confidential. What is the MOST likely goal of this search?
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
Find PDF files on example.com that have 'confidential' in their filename or path
The Google dork `site:example.com filetype:pdf inurl:confidential` combines the `site` operator to restrict results to example.com, `filetype:pdf` to filter for PDF files, and `inurl:confidential` to require that the URL or path contains the word 'confidential'. This targets PDF files whose filename or directory path includes 'confidential', making option C correct. The `inurl` operator matches the URL string, not the file content, so it does not search within the PDF text.
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.
- ✗
Retrieve all PDF files from example.com regardless of content
Why it's wrong here
The 'inurl:confidential' filter restricts results, so not all PDFs are returned.
- ✗
Identify all web pages on example.com that link to PDF files
Why it's wrong here
This dork does not search for links; it searches for indexed PDF files directly.
- ✓
Find PDF files on example.com that have 'confidential' in their filename or path
Why this is correct
The 'inurl:confidential' operator matches the string 'confidential' anywhere in the URL, which includes filenames and directory paths. Combined with 'filetype:pdf', this finds PDFs with 'confidential' in the URL.
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.
- ✗
Discover PDF files that contain the word 'confidential' on example.com
Why it's wrong here
The dork searches for PDF files with 'confidential' in the URL, not necessarily in the content. The 'inurl:' operator targets URL text.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing `inurl` (which searches the URL string) with `intext` or content-based search, leading candidates to incorrectly assume the dork finds PDFs containing the word 'confidential' inside the document.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Google's `inurl` operator matches the entire URL, including the path and filename, but does not index the text inside binary files like PDFs unless they are converted to HTML. For PDF content searching, Google uses a separate index of extracted text, which requires operators like `intext` or simply a plain keyword search. In real-world recon, attackers combine `inurl` with `filetype` to find sensitive documents by their naming convention (e.g., `budget`, `password`, `confidential`) without needing to parse file contents.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CEH question test?
Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning — This question tests Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Find PDF files on example.com that have 'confidential' in their filename or path — The Google dork `site:example.com filetype:pdf inurl:confidential` combines the `site` operator to restrict results to example.com, `filetype:pdf` to filter for PDF files, and `inurl:confidential` to require that the URL or path contains the word 'confidential'. This targets PDF files whose filename or directory path includes 'confidential', making option C correct. The `inurl` operator matches the URL string, not the file content, so it does not search within the PDF text.
What should I do if I get this CEH 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 24, 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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