Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which of the following best describes a close in attack?

1. Gaining physical access to sensitive data

2. Using phishing emails to gather information

3. Injecting malware into legitimate software

4. Monitoring network traffic remotely

The correct answer is: Gaining physical access to sensitive data

The correct answer accurately captures the essence of a close-in attack, which involves gaining physical access to sensitive data. In the context of cybersecurity, a close-in attack refers to an attacker physically proximity to a target to exploit security vulnerabilities. This could involve accessing devices, networks, or systems directly and retrieving sensitive information without requiring remote tactics. The other choices, while related to various types of cyber threats, do not fit the definition of a close-in attack. Phishing emails and malware injections are primarily remote attacks, which rely on the victim’s interaction with a fraudulent communication or malicious software, rather than direct physical access. Monitoring network traffic remotely is also a distinctly different strategy, focusing on passive data collection over a network rather than the direct exploitation of physical presence.