Quick Answer
The answer is A, MX, and NS. These three DNS record types are the most commonly queried during reconnaissance because they reveal a target’s core infrastructure: A records map domain names to IPv4 addresses, MX records identify mail exchange servers, and NS records expose authoritative name servers. An attacker uses these queries to map out the attack surface—finding the IP address for direct targeting, mail servers for phishing or spoofing, and name servers for potential zone transfer attacks. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this concept tests your understanding of the information-gathering phase, where passive and active DNS enumeration is a key skill. A common trap is confusing CNAME or TXT records with these three, but remember that A, MX, and NS are the foundational records for locating servers and services. Memory tip: think “AMN” for Address, Mail, and Nameserver—the trio that gives away the network’s layout.
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 valid DNS record types that an attacker might query during reconnaissance to gather information about a target domain? (Select 3)
FTP (file transfer)
Why wrong: FTP is a service, not a DNS record type.
A (IPv4 address)
A records map hostnames to IP addresses, revealing the target's IP.
NS (name server)
NS records identify authoritative name servers, crucial for zone transfer attempts.
HTTP (hypertext transfer)
Why wrong: HTTP is a protocol, not a DNS record type.
MX (mail exchange)
MX records reveal mail server hostnames, useful for email enumeration.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
A (IPv4 address)
The A record maps a domain name to an IPv4 address, which is fundamental for locating a target server. During reconnaissance, querying A records reveals the IP address of the target domain, enabling further scanning and attack planning. This is a standard DNS query type defined in RFC 1035.
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.
FTP (file transfer)
A (IPv4 address)
Why this is correct
A records map hostnames to IP addresses, revealing the target's IP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
NS (name server)
Why this is correct
NS records identify authoritative name servers, crucial for zone transfer attempts.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
HTTP (hypertext transfer)
MX (mail exchange)
Why this is correct
MX records reveal mail server hostnames, useful for email enumeration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the distinction between DNS record types and application-layer protocols, so candidates mistakenly select FTP or HTTP because they are common network services, but they are not valid DNS resource records.
Detailed technical explanation
DNS A records are stored in zone files and are queried using tools like `nslookup` or `dig A example.com`. Attackers often use A records to map a domain to its IP address, then perform reverse DNS lookups or scan the IP for open ports. In real-world reconnaissance, enumerating A records can reveal load-balanced or CDN-backed IPs, which may require additional probing to identify the origin server.
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
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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: A (IPv4 address) — The A record maps a domain name to an IPv4 address, which is fundamental for locating a target server. During reconnaissance, querying A records reveals the IP address of the target domain, enabling further scanning and attack planning. This is a standard DNS query type defined in RFC 1035.
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.
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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.
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