Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which attack technique did Edward employ to damage the company's website?

1. Website defacement

2. Denial of Service

3. Phishing

4. Man-in-the-Middle

The correct answer is: Website defacement

The chosen answer highlights website defacement, a technique where an attacker gains unauthorized access to a web server and alters the content of the site, usually for the purpose of disrespect, protest, or to convey a message. In the context of damaging a company's website, this method can significantly harm the company's reputation and disrupt the services it provides, as the altered content may mislead visitors or create confusion. Website defacement specifically targets the visual and informational aspects of a website, often leaving a defacing message or image that can capture public attention. Because the primary goal is to alter what visitors see when they access the site, this technique aligns well with the description of damaging a website, as it directly changes the user experience and can cause extensive reputational damage. In contrast, denial of service attacks focus on overwhelming a site's resources, making it unavailable to legitimate users, while phishing involves tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information. Man-in-the-middle attacks concern intercepting communication between parties without their knowledge. Each of these techniques serves different malicious purposes and does not match the specific act of visibly altering the content of a company’s website.