Certified Network Defender (CND) — Question 108

Identify the correct order for a successful black hat operation.

Answer options

• A. Reconnaissance, Gaining Access, Scanning, Maintaining Access, and Covering Tracks
• B. Reconnaissance, Scanning, Gaining Access, Maintaining Access, and Covering Tracks
• C. Reconnaissance, Scanning, Gaining Access, Covering Tracks, and Maintaining Access
• D. Scanning, Reconnaissance, Gaining Access, Maintaining Access, and Covering Tracks

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is B because it follows the logical progression of a black hat operation: first gathering information (Reconnaissance), then identifying vulnerabilities (Scanning), followed by exploiting them (Gaining Access), ensuring persistence (Maintaining Access), and finally obscuring traces (Covering Tracks). Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they disrupt this essential order, placing actions that should occur later in the sequence before necessary preparatory steps.