Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

What type of attack is characterized by the collection and forwarding of data to a remote server over a long period?

1. Denial of Service (DoS)

2. Malware infection

3. Advanced persistent threat

4. Zero-day exploit

The correct answer is: Advanced persistent threat

The correct choice is characterized by the collection and forwarding of data to a remote server over an extended duration. This aligns with the definition of an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT). APTs often involve a series of coordinated, stealthy attacks designed to infiltrate a network and maintain long-term access for data exfiltration. APTs are typically executed by well-organized groups with specific strategic aims, such as espionage or theft of sensitive information. They employ sophisticated methods to remain undetected while continuously gathering valuable data over time, hence making them distinct from other types of attacks which might be more immediate and do not emphasize sustained access. In contrast, options like Denial of Service (DoS) focus on overwhelming a service and rendering it unavailable, and malware infections may lead to various types of attacks but don’t specifically denote the prolonged data exfiltration characteristic of APTs. Similarly, a Zero-day exploit refers to the exploitation of an unknown vulnerability, typically aimed at immediate compromise rather than the slow, ongoing surveillance and data collection nature of an APT.