Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

In which phase of the cyber kill chain does an adversary distribute USB drives with malicious payloads?

1. Reconnaissance

2. Delivery

3. Exploitation

4. Action on objectives

The correct answer is: Delivery

The correct choice is associated with the phase in which an adversary actively transmits or sends malicious content to the target. The Delivery phase involves the transfer of the payload—such as malware—onto a target environment. In this context, distributing USB drives containing malicious payloads is a tactic employed during this phase. The USB drives serve as the medium for delivery, allowing the adversary to reach potential victims directly. This activity aims to successfully convey the malicious content to the target, which can lead to subsequent exploitation once the drive is connected to a computer system. Understanding this phase is crucial because it highlights how attackers leverage physical means, like USB drives, to facilitate attacks, illustrating the diverse methodologies used in cyber threats.