Actions taken by an individual that exploit a vulnerability is known as a(n):
Select one:
a. Attack b. Alteration c. Modification d. Fabrication
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: a. Attack
An attack refers to any action or behavior by an individual or group that exploits a vulnerability in a system to cause harm or unauthorized access. Vulnerabilities in a system or network are weaknesses that can be exploited by attackers to gain control, steal data, or disrupt normal operations. These vulnerabilities could be flaws in software, hardware, network configurations, or even human factors, such as weak passwords or unpatched systems.
When an attacker identifies and exploits a vulnerability, they perform an attack. This can manifest in several forms, such as malware installation, data breaches, denial of service (DoS) attacks, or social engineering. The goal of an attack may be to access confidential information, cause damage, or disrupt the normal functioning of a system or service.
In cybersecurity, attacks are often categorized into different types, such as active attacks (where the attacker tries to alter or disrupt data or the system itself) and passive attacks (where the attacker intercepts or listens in on communication without directly altering it). Common examples of attacks include phishing, ransomware, SQL injection, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
It is important to note that attacks exploit vulnerabilities, but not all vulnerabilities are necessarily exploited. For instance, a vulnerability could be identified but remain unexploited, either because the attacker has not yet discovered it or because defenses like firewalls or encryption are in place to mitigate the risk. Regular security practices, such as patching vulnerabilities, using encryption, and implementing intrusion detection systems, are essential for defending against potential attacks.