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.
Which TWO of the following are examples of active reconnaissance? (Select 2)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Conducting an Nmap SYN scan on the target network
Option C is correct because an Nmap SYN scan sends raw SYN packets to target ports and analyzes the responses (SYN-ACK for open, RST for closed). This actively probes the target network, generating traffic that can be detected by intrusion detection systems, which is the defining characteristic of active reconnaissance.
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.
✗
Performing a WHOIS lookup
Why it's wrong here
WHOIS queries public databases, no direct interaction with target.
✗
Analyzing public social media profiles for employee information
Why it's wrong here
This is passive OSINT.
✓
Conducting an Nmap SYN scan on the target network
Why this is correct
Nmap sends packets directly to the target, making it active.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Running a Google dork search for sensitive files
Why it's wrong here
Google dorking uses a search engine; no direct traffic to target.
✓
Using netcat to retrieve a banner from a web server
Why this is correct
Netcat establishes a connection to the target service, which is active.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'publicly available information' (passive) with 'direct interaction' (active), leading them to incorrectly select WHOIS lookups or Google dork searches as active reconnaissance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Active reconnaissance techniques like SYN scans operate at the transport layer (TCP), where the scanner sends a SYN packet and waits for a SYN-ACK (open) or RST (closed). A subtle behavior is that some firewalls or IDS/IPS systems can detect SYN scans by monitoring the rate of incomplete handshakes, while stealth scans (e.g., FIN scans) may bypass certain filters. In real-world penetration testing, active scanning is often the first step after passive information gathering to map live hosts and open ports, but it must be done carefully to avoid triggering alarms.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
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: Conducting an Nmap SYN scan on the target network — Option C is correct because an Nmap SYN scan sends raw SYN packets to target ports and analyzes the responses (SYN-ACK for open, RST for closed). This actively probes the target network, generating traffic that can be detected by intrusion detection systems, which is the defining characteristic of active reconnaissance.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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