hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: An analyst is reviewing a series of failed login…
An analyst is reviewing a series of failed login attempts from multiple IP addresses targeting a single user account. This pattern is indicative of what type of attack?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between password spraying and brute force by describing the number of IPs versus the number of passwords tried, so the trap here is confusing a distributed low-rate attack (password spraying) with a high-rate single-source attack (brute force).
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
✓
Password spraying
Password spraying involves an attacker attempting a small number of common passwords (e.g., 'Password123', 'Welcome1') against many user accounts, or in this case, multiple IP addresses targeting a single user account. This pattern avoids account lockout thresholds by keeping attempts per IP low, making it distinct from brute force attacks that hammer a single account with many passwords from one source.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Password spraying
Why this is correct
Password spraying uses multiple sources and common passwords to avoid detection.
- ✗
Keylogging
Why it's wrong here
Keylogging captures keystrokes, not network login attempts.
- ✗
Brute force
Why it's wrong here
Brute force usually targets one user from one IP with many passwords.
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Credential stuffing
Why it's wrong here
Credential stuffing uses stolen credentials, not multiple IPs targeting one account.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Secure Network Architecture and Design
Key term
Account lockout
Account lockout is a security feature that temporarily disables a user account after a set number of failed login attempts to prevent unauthorized access.
Key term
User account
A user account is a digital identity that allows a person to access a computer system, network, or application with specific permissions and settings.
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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.