Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What type of malicious code exploits vulnerabilities in a digital system or device to perform unauthorized actions?

1. Virus

2. Exploit

3. Backdoor

4. Ransomware

The correct answer is: Exploit

The term that specifically refers to code designed to exploit vulnerabilities in a digital system or device to perform unauthorized actions is known as an exploit. Exploits are strategically crafted programs or scripts that take advantage of known weaknesses or flaws within software applications or operating systems. By leveraging these vulnerabilities, exploits can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, or manipulate system operations without proper authorization. While other options represent forms of malicious code, they serve different functions. Viruses, for instance, typically attach themselves to legitimate programs and can spread to other files or systems, but they do not inherently exploit vulnerabilities as their primary function. Backdoors provide an alternative method for gaining access to a system, often placed intentionally by developers or attackers but are not specifically aimed at exploiting vulnerabilities. Ransomware is designed to encrypt the victim's files and demand a ransom, rather than directly exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial in understanding the various types of malicious code and their intended effects on digital systems.