- A
IPsec
Why wrong: IPsec provides encryption.
- B
Telnet
Telnet sends data in plaintext.
- C
HTTPS
Why wrong: HTTPS is secure.
- D
SNMPv3
Why wrong: SNMPv3 supports encryption and authentication.
- E
FTP
FTP transmits credentials in the clear.
Question 663 of 1,000
easyMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: Which TWO protocols are considered insecure and…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. 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.
Which TWO protocols are considered insecure and should be replaced with secure alternatives? (Choose 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
✓
Telnet
Both Telnet and FTP are considered insecure because they transmit data, including login credentials, in cleartext. Telnet (B) uses TCP port 23 and lacks encryption, making it vulnerable to packet sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks. FTP (E) similarly transmits usernames and passwords over TCP port 21 in cleartext, and also allows anonymous access and passive data transfer issues. Secure alternatives include SSH for remote access (replacing Telnet) and SFTP or FTPS for file transfer (replacing FTP). IPsec (A), HTTPS (C), and SNMPv3 (D) are all considered secure protocols as they incorporate encryption and authentication.
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.
- ✗
IPsec
Why it's wrong here
IPsec provides encryption.
- ✓
Telnet
Why this is correct
Telnet sends data in plaintext.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
HTTPS
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS is secure.
- ✗
SNMPv3
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv3 supports encryption and authentication.
- ✓
FTP
Why this is correct
FTP transmits credentials in the clear.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between secure and insecure versions of protocols, where candidates mistakenly think SNMPv3 or IPsec are insecure because they confuse them with older versions (SNMPv1/v2c) or assume all VPN protocols are vulnerable.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Telnet operates over TCP port 23 and uses the Network Virtual Terminal (NVT) format, but it sends all data, including the 'USER' and 'PASS' commands, as plain ASCII text. FTP (E) similarly transmits credentials and data in cleartext over TCP ports 20 and 21, unless secured with FTPS (FTP over TLS) or SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol). Both protocols are deprecated in favor of SSH-based alternatives for remote access and file transfer.
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.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
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.
Related practice questions
Related SSCP practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Access Controls practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Access Controls.
Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis.
Incident Response and Recovery practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Incident Response and Recovery.
Security Operations and Administration practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Security Operations and Administration.
Cryptography practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Cryptography.
Network and Communications Security practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Network and Communications Security.
Systems and Application Security practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Systems and Application Security.
Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis.
SSCP fundamentals practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP fundamentals.
SSCP scenario practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP scenario.
SSCP troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SSCP practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Telnet — Both Telnet and FTP are considered insecure because they transmit data, including login credentials, in cleartext. Telnet (B) uses TCP port 23 and lacks encryption, making it vulnerable to packet sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks. FTP (E) similarly transmits usernames and passwords over TCP port 21 in cleartext, and also allows anonymous access and passive data transfer issues. Secure alternatives include SSH for remote access (replacing Telnet) and SFTP or FTPS for file transfer (replacing FTP). IPsec (A), HTTPS (C), and SNMPv3 (D) are all considered secure protocols as they incorporate encryption and authentication.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More SSCP practice questions
- A company has implemented a new vulnerability scanner and the first scan reports 200 vulnerabilities. The security team…
- A security analyst is reviewing logs and notices multiple failed login attempts from a single IP address against an admi…
- A security manager is evaluating log sources for a SIEM implementation. Which THREE of the following are considered log…
- A vulnerability scanner reports a medium-severity finding on a server. After investigation, the security team determines…
- During a qualitative risk analysis, an organization rates the likelihood of a flood as 'Low' and the impact as 'High'. U…
- A security analyst is tuning a SIEM to reduce false positives. Which of the following actions is most likely to reduce f…
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.