Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What type of attack was performed by Williams while eavesdropping on network communications?

1. Insider Attack

2. Outside Attack

3. Malware Attack

4. DDoS Attack

The correct answer is: Insider Attack

The scenario involves Williams eavesdropping on network communications, which suggests that the attacker has legitimate access or is able to strategically monitor data being communicated within the network. An insider attack typically refers to actions taken by someone who has inside information concerning the organization's security practices, data, and computer systems. This could be an employee or a trusted partner who exploits their access to perform malicious activities. In this context, Williams, having the capability to monitor communications suggests a level of access that is usually granted to insiders. Such activities can lead to the interception of sensitive data or unauthorized information disclosures, making it characteristic of insider threats. The nature of the attack hinges on the trust associated with internal users, which is a hallmark of insider attacks. Other attack types mentioned do not align with the act of eavesdropping in this manner. For instance, outside attacks involve external entities targeting the system from outside its network, while malware attacks require the introduction of harmful software into the system. DDoS attacks are focused on overwhelming a system with traffic and do not involve monitoring communications. Thus, the characteristics of Williams' actions clearly align with an insider attack.