ISC2 CC Network Security Practice Question
A security analyst detects a large number of half-open TCP connections targeting a web server. This is most likely indicative of what type of attack?
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
✓
SYN flood
A SYN flood attack exploits the TCP three-way handshake by sending many SYN packets without completing the handshake, exhausting server resources. This is a type of DoS attack.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Smurf attack
Why it's wrong here
Smurf attack uses ICMP echo requests to broadcast addresses.
- ✓
SYN flood
Why this is correct
SYN flood targets TCP handshake to cause resource exhaustion.
- ✗
ARP spoofing
Why it's wrong here
ARP spoofing associates attacker's MAC with a legitimate IP.
- ✗
DNS amplification
Why it's wrong here
DNS amplification uses UDP and spoofed source IPs.
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
DoS
A cyberattack that floods a target with traffic or requests to exhaust its resources, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
Key term
Denial-of-service
A Denial-of-service (DoS) attack is an attempt to make a computer, network, or online service unavailable to its intended users by overwhelming it with fake traffic or requests.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.