- A
Implement DNSSEC to validate DNS responses
DNSSEC adds cryptographic signatures to DNS records.
- B
Configure firewall rules to block UDP port 53
Why wrong: Blocking port 53 would break DNS entirely.
- C
Disable DNS recursion on authoritative servers
Why wrong: Disabling recursion helps prevent cache poisoning on authoritative servers but does not prevent poisoning on resolvers.
- D
Use secure DNS resolvers that enforce DNSSEC validation
Secure resolvers validate DNSSEC and block malicious responses.
- E
Enable DHCP snooping on switches
Why wrong: DHCP snooping prevents rogue DHCP servers, not DNS poisoning.
Question 52 of 1,000
SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of network and communications security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 network administrator is troubleshooting a DNS poisoning attack. Which TWO countermeasures can help prevent such attacks? (Select two)
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
✓
Implement DNSSEC to validate DNS responses
DNSSEC validates DNS responses to prevent spoofing, and using secure DNS resolvers (like Quad9 or Cloudflare) can filter malicious domains. Disabling recursion is a best practice but not a direct countermeasure against poisoning. DHCP snooping is for DHCP attacks. Firewalls don't prevent DNS poisoning.
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.
- ✓
Implement DNSSEC to validate DNS responses
Why this is correct
DNSSEC adds cryptographic signatures to DNS records.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure firewall rules to block UDP port 53
Why it's wrong here
Blocking port 53 would break DNS entirely.
- ✗
Disable DNS recursion on authoritative servers
Why it's wrong here
Disabling recursion helps prevent cache poisoning on authoritative servers but does not prevent poisoning on resolvers.
- ✓
Use secure DNS resolvers that enforce DNSSEC validation
Why this is correct
Secure resolvers validate DNSSEC and block malicious responses.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable DHCP snooping on switches
Why it's wrong here
DHCP snooping prevents rogue DHCP servers, not DNS poisoning.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Network and Communications Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Network and Communications Security — This question tests Network and Communications Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement DNSSEC to validate DNS responses — DNSSEC validates DNS responses to prevent spoofing, and using secure DNS resolvers (like Quad9 or Cloudflare) can filter malicious domains. Disabling recursion is a best practice but not a direct countermeasure against poisoning. DHCP snooping is for DHCP attacks. Firewalls don't prevent DNS poisoning.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
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