Quick Answer
The answer is examining job postings for technology clues and Google dorking. Both are correct because passive footprinting relies entirely on publicly available information without any direct interaction with the target’s systems—no packets are sent, no scans are run. Examining job postings reveals hardware, software, and security tools a company uses, while Google dorking uses advanced search operators like filetype: or intitle: to mine indexed data from search engines. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish passive reconnaissance from active techniques like ping sweeps or port scans. A common trap is confusing Google dorking with active scanning, but remember: if you never touch the target’s network, it’s passive. Memory tip: “Passive = public pages, no pings.”
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of footprinting and reconnaissance. 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 passive footprinting techniques? (Select exactly 2.)
Performing a ping sweep on the target network
Why wrong: Active probing sends packets.
Conducting a port scan with Nmap
Why wrong: Active scanning.
Using Google dorking to find exposed documents
Uses search engine index, passive.
Examining job postings for technology clues
Public info gathering, no direct interaction.
Brute forcing subdomains via DNS queries
Why wrong: Active DNS requests.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Using Google dorking to find exposed documents
Option C is correct because Google dorking involves using advanced search operators (e.g., filetype:, intitle:) to discover publicly accessible information without directly interacting with the target's systems. This is a passive footprinting technique as it relies on publicly indexed data from search engines, not on sending packets to the target's network.
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.
Performing a ping sweep on the target network
Why it's wrong here
Active probing sends packets.
Conducting a port scan with Nmap
Why it's wrong here
Active scanning.
Using Google dorking to find exposed documents
Why this is correct
Uses search engine index, passive.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Examining job postings for technology clues
Why this is correct
Public info gathering, no direct interaction.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Brute forcing subdomains via DNS queries
Why it's wrong here
Active DNS requests.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the distinction between passive and active reconnaissance, and the trap here is that candidates may mistakenly classify DNS-based enumeration (Option E) as passive, when in fact any technique that sends packets to the target's systems (including DNS queries) is considered active.
Detailed technical explanation
Passive footprinting leverages publicly available information from sources like search engines, social media, WHOIS databases, and job postings, requiring no direct contact with the target's infrastructure. For example, examining job postings (Option D) can reveal specific technologies (e.g., 'Cisco ASA firewall administrator') or software versions used by the target, providing clues for later active attacks. This approach minimizes the risk of detection and is often the first step in a structured reconnaissance phase.
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 and Reconnaissance — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Footprinting and Reconnaissance 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 and Reconnaissance — This question tests Footprinting and Reconnaissance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Using Google dorking to find exposed documents — Option C is correct because Google dorking involves using advanced search operators (e.g., filetype:, intitle:) to discover publicly accessible information without directly interacting with the target's systems. This is a passive footprinting technique as it relies on publicly indexed data from search engines, not on sending packets to the target's network.
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.