Components of a Web Browsing Session: HTTP and DNS
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.
Exhibit
Proto Local Address Foreign Address State
TCP 192.168.1.100:49152 203.0.113.10:80 ESTABLISHED
TCP 192.168.1.100:49153 192.168.1.1:53 TIME_WAIT
TCP 192.168.1.100:49154 74.125.224.72:443 ESTABLISHED
Refer to the exhibit. Which of the following is most likely a web browsing session?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Exhibit
Proto Local Address Foreign Address State
TCP 192.168.1.100:49152 203.0.113.10:80 ESTABLISHED
TCP 192.168.1.100:49153 192.168.1.1:53 TIME_WAIT
TCP 192.168.1.100:49154 74.125.224.72:443 ESTABLISHED
A
192.168.1.100:49152 to 203.0.113.10:80
Why wrong: This is an HTTP session, which is a web browsing session, but HTTPS is more common today.
B
192.168.1.100:49154 to 74.125.224.72:443
This is an HTTPS session, which is a secure web browsing session and the most likely type of web browsing.
C
192.168.1.100:49153 to 192.168.1.1:53
Why wrong: This is a DNS query, not a web browsing session.
D
Both A and C
Why wrong: This option incorrectly includes C, which is not a web browsing session.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
192.168.1.100:49154 to 74.125.224.72:443
Option B is correct because it shows an HTTPS session to port 443, which is the most common web browsing protocol. Option A also shows an HTTP session (port 80), which is a web browsing session, but HTTPS is more prevalent. Option C shows a DNS query (port 53), which is not a web browsing session; it is a name resolution protocol. Therefore, only B is a web browsing session, and option D is incorrect because it includes C.
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.
✗
192.168.1.100:49152 to 203.0.113.10:80
Why it's wrong here
This is an HTTP session, which is a web browsing session, but HTTPS is more common today.
✓
192.168.1.100:49154 to 74.125.224.72:443
Why this is correct
This is an HTTPS session, which is a secure web browsing session and the most likely type of web browsing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
This option incorrectly includes C, which is not a web browsing session.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that web browsing only involves HTTP (port 80) and ignores the essential DNS resolution step. Candidates may incorrectly rule out option C because DNS is not a web protocol, but it is an integral part of the browsing process.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Web browsing sessions are defined by application-layer protocols: HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443) are the primary protocols for fetching web content, while DNS (port 53) resolves domain names to IP addresses. In practice, a single web page load triggers multiple DNS queries (e.g., for CDN resources) and multiple HTTP/HTTPS connections, so both A and C are part of the browsing process. The exhibit likely shows a packet capture where the DNS query precedes the HTTP request, illustrating the dependency.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Visual reference
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 192.168.1.100:49154 to 74.125.224.72:443 — Option B is correct because it shows an HTTPS session to port 443, which is the most common web browsing protocol. Option A also shows an HTTP session (port 80), which is a web browsing session, but HTTPS is more prevalent. Option C shows a DNS query (port 53), which is not a web browsing session; it is a name resolution protocol. Therefore, only B is a web browsing session, and option D is incorrect because it includes C.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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