ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
Which type of authentication factor involves something the user knows?
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
✓
Type 1 (knowledge)
Type 1 (knowledge) factors include passwords, PINs, and passphrases.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Type 1 (knowledge)
Why this is correct
Correct. Knowledge factors are things the user knows.
- ✗
Type 2 (possession)
Why it's wrong here
Possession factors are things the user has, like smart cards.
- ✗
Type 4 (location)
Why it's wrong here
Location is not a standard authentication factor type.
- ✗
Type 3 (inherence)
Why it's wrong here
Inherence factors are biometric characteristics.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Authentication and Authorization Methods
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
Key term
Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying that someone or something is who or what it claims to be before granting access to a system or resource.
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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.