What is Cyberattack Reconnaissance?

The process of passively gathering information prior to launching a cyberattack is called:

A.

tailgating.

B.

reconnaissance.

C.

pharming.

D.

prepending.

B.

The correct answer is B. reconnaissance.

Reconnaissance is the process of gathering information about a potential target prior to launching a cyberattack. This information can be used to identify vulnerabilities in the target's security posture and develop an effective attack strategy.

Reconnaissance can be carried out in a passive or active manner. Passive reconnaissance involves gathering information about a target without directly interacting with it, while active reconnaissance involves actively probing the target for weaknesses.

Examples of passive reconnaissance techniques include gathering publicly available information about the target from social media, job postings, and other online sources. This can include information about the target's organizational structure, employee names and positions, network architecture, and technology vendors used.

Active reconnaissance techniques include port scanning, network mapping, and vulnerability scanning. These techniques involve directly interacting with the target's systems and can be more risky, as they are more likely to trigger security alerts and detection systems.

Reconnaissance is a critical step in the cyberattack process, as it allows attackers to identify and exploit weaknesses in a target's security defenses. Organizations can mitigate the risk of reconnaissance by implementing strong security controls, monitoring for suspicious activity, and regularly updating their security posture to address emerging threats.