- A
Deauthentication attack
Why wrong: Deauth attacks disconnect clients, not capture credentials.
- B
Rogue AP attack
Why wrong: Rogue AP is a broader term; evil twin is a specific type.
- C
Evil twin attack
An evil twin is a fraudulent AP with the same SSID as a legitimate network.
- D
Karma attack
Why wrong: A Karma attack responds to probe requests from clients, but the specific described attack is an evil twin.
Question 253 of 1,000
CISSP Communication and Network Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of communication and network security. 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.
A security analyst discovers an attack where an attacker sets up a rogue wireless access point with a legitimate SSID to trick users into connecting. Once connected, the attacker captures credentials. This type of attack is known as:
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
✓
Evil twin attack
This is an evil twin attack because the attacker creates a rogue access point that broadcasts the same SSID as a legitimate network, tricking users into connecting to it. Once connected, the attacker can capture credentials or other sensitive data by acting as a man-in-the-middle. The key differentiator is the impersonation of a legitimate SSID to deceive users, not just the presence of an unauthorized AP.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Deauthentication attack
Why it's wrong here
Deauth attacks disconnect clients, not capture credentials.
- ✗
Rogue AP attack
Why it's wrong here
Rogue AP is a broader term; evil twin is a specific type.
- ✓
Evil twin attack
Why this is correct
An evil twin is a fraudulent AP with the same SSID as a legitimate network.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Karma attack
Why it's wrong here
A Karma attack responds to probe requests from clients, but the specific described attack is an evil twin.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'rogue AP' (any unauthorized AP) with 'evil twin' (a specific type of rogue AP that impersonates a legitimate SSID), leading them to choose option B instead of C.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In an evil twin attack, the attacker typically uses a tool like airbase-ng or a commercial device to broadcast the same SSID as a trusted network, often with a stronger signal to ensure clients prefer it. The attacker may also run a DHCP server and a fake captive portal to harvest credentials, and can perform SSL stripping if the client does not enforce HSTS. A real-world scenario is an attacker in a coffee shop setting up an evil twin of the shop's free Wi-Fi, capturing login credentials for social media or email accounts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Communication and Network Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Communication and Network Security — This question tests Communication and Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Evil twin attack — This is an evil twin attack because the attacker creates a rogue access point that broadcasts the same SSID as a legitimate network, tricking users into connecting to it. Once connected, the attacker can capture credentials or other sensitive data by acting as a man-in-the-middle. The key differentiator is the impersonation of a legitimate SSID to deceive users, not just the presence of an unauthorized AP.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CISSP 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 CISSP exam.
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