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.
Which THREE of the following are common techniques used during the footprinting phase? (Choose three.)
Exploitation
Why wrong: Exploitation is a later phase.
Port scanning
Why wrong: Port scanning is active reconnaissance, typically after footprinting.
WHOIS lookup
WHOIS provides domain registration details.
Google hacking
Using advanced search operators to find sensitive information.
DNS zone transfer
Zone transfers can reveal all DNS records.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
WHOIS lookup
WHOIS lookup is a footprinting technique that queries domain registration databases (e.g., whois.arin.net) to obtain registrant contact details, name servers, and registration dates. This information is publicly available and helps attackers map an organization's digital footprint without direct interaction with the target.
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.
Exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Exploitation is a later phase.
Port scanning
Why it's wrong here
Port scanning is active reconnaissance, typically after footprinting.
WHOIS lookup
Why this is correct
WHOIS provides domain registration details.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Google hacking
Why this is correct
Using advanced search operators to find sensitive information.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
DNS zone transfer
Why this is correct
Zone transfers can reveal all DNS records.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the distinction between footprinting (passive, non-intrusive) and scanning (active, intrusive), so candidates mistakenly classify port scanning or exploitation as footprinting techniques.
Detailed technical explanation
WHOIS queries use the WHOIS protocol (RFC 3912) over TCP port 43, returning structured data from registries like ICANN-accredited registrars. Google hacking leverages advanced search operators (e.g., site:, filetype:, intitle:) to index publicly exposed sensitive data, such as login pages or configuration files. DNS zone transfer (AXFR request) attempts to retrieve all DNS records from a name server, which if misconfigured (no ACL restrictions), exposes internal network topology.
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CEH questions
1,010 questions across all exam domains
Certified Ethical Hacker CEH study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CEH practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CEH questions linked to Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning.
Practise CEH questions linked to Enumeration and System Hacking.
Practise CEH questions linked to Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks.
Practise CEH questions linked to Web Application and Injection Attacks.
Practise CEH questions linked to Introduction to Ethical Hacking.
Practise CEH questions linked to Scanning Networks and Enumeration.
Practise CEH questions linked to Vulnerability Analysis and System Hacking.
Practise CEH questions linked to Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography.
Practise CEH questions linked to Footprinting and Reconnaissance.
Practise CEH questions linked to Network and Web Application Attacks.
Practise CEH questions linked to Wireless, IoT and Cloud Security.
Practise CEH questions linked to Cryptography and Malware Analysis.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning — This question tests Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: WHOIS lookup — WHOIS lookup is a footprinting technique that queries domain registration databases (e.g., whois.arin.net) to obtain registrant contact details, name servers, and registration dates. This information is publicly available and helps attackers map an organization's digital footprint without direct interaction with the target.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.