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SSCP Practice Question: Which THREE of the following are common types of…
Which THREE of the following are common types of network attacks?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between network-layer attacks (like ARP spoofing, SYN flood, DNS poisoning) and application-layer attacks (like SQL injection), causing candidates to mistakenly classify SQL injection as a network attack because it involves network traffic.
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
✓
ARP spoofing
ARP spoofing is a network attack where an attacker sends falsified Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) messages onto a local area network. This links the attacker's MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate host, enabling interception, modification, or blocking of traffic intended for that host. It is a classic Layer 2 attack that exploits the lack of authentication in ARP.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
ARP spoofing
Why this is correct
An attack on the local network to intercept traffic.
- ✓
SYN flood
Why this is correct
A network-layer DoS attack exploiting the TCP handshake.
- ✗
Pharming
Why it's wrong here
Often considered an application-layer attack, though it manipulates DNS.
- ✓
DNS poisoning
Why this is correct
Corrupts DNS cache to redirect traffic.
- ✗
SQL injection
Why it's wrong here
An application-layer attack on databases.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.