Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What type of attack aims to compel users to download malicious programs via pop-up messages?

1. Keylogging

2. Pop-ups

3. Spyware

4. Spear Phishing

The correct answer is: Pop-ups

The focus of this type of attack is on the use of pop-up messages to influence users into downloading malicious software. Pop-up messages are designed to grab the user's attention, often making urgent claims or presenting alarming messages that exploit fear or curiosity. This technique utilizes social engineering tactics, where the attacker preys on the user's trust or lack of awareness about the potential dangers. While the other options do relate to cybersecurity threats, they do not specifically match the method of using pop-up messages to induce the download of harmful programs. Keylogging refers to the act of capturing keystrokes to steal information, spyware is software that secretly monitors user actions, and spear phishing is a targeted attempt to steal sensitive information through deceptive emails. Pop-ups specifically leverage interactive prompts that can mislead users into installing harmful software, making them a key mechanism in this type of attack.