Quick Answer
The correct answer is password spraying, as the described pattern of failed login attempts from multiple IP addresses targeting a single user account perfectly matches this attack’s signature. Password spraying works by an attacker trying a small set of common passwords—like ‘Password123’ or ‘Welcome1’—across many accounts, or in this case, from many IPs against one account, to stay below account lockout thresholds and evade detection. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish password spraying from brute force attacks, where a single source floods one account with many passwords. A common trap is confusing the two, but remember: password spraying is “low and slow” across many targets, while brute force is “fast and furious” against one. For a memory tip, think of a garden sprinkler—spraying a little water (a few passwords) over a wide area (many accounts or IPs)—rather than a fire hose blasting one spot.
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
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?
Password spraying
Password spraying uses multiple sources and common passwords to avoid detection.
Keylogging
Why wrong: Keylogging captures keystrokes, not network login attempts.
Brute force
Why wrong: Brute force usually targets one user from one IP with many passwords.
Credential stuffing
Why wrong: Credential stuffing uses stolen credentials, not multiple IPs targeting one account.
Answer choices
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.
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.
Password spraying
Why this is correct
Password spraying uses multiple sources and common passwords to avoid detection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Credential stuffing
Why it's wrong here
Credential stuffing uses stolen credentials, not multiple IPs targeting one account.
Common exam traps
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).
Detailed technical explanation
Password spraying exploits the fact that many organizations enforce password complexity but allow common weak passwords. Attackers often use botnets or proxy networks to distribute attempts across hundreds of IPs, staying under the typical lockout threshold of 3-5 failed attempts per account per hour. In Active Directory environments, this can bypass smart lockout policies that track failed attempts per user rather than per IP.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 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.
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 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.
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