CompTIA PenTest+ Practice Test

What common tool is used by penetration testers to investigate network vulnerabilities?

1. Nmap

2. Burp Suite

3. Wireshark

4. Snort

The correct answer is: Nmap

Nmap is a widely used tool among penetration testers for investigating network vulnerabilities because it specializes in network exploration and security auditing. It enables testers to scan networks and discover hosts, active services, and their respective versions, as well as any open ports. This information is crucial for identifying potential entry points that could be exploited in a security assessment. Nmap's capabilities include not just basic host discovery, but also more advanced features such as network mapping, service enumeration, and OS detection. This makes it particularly valuable for understanding the overall security posture of a network and identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Its use in reconnaissance is foundational for subsequent testing phases, allowing penetration testers to formulate strategies based on the network landscape they uncover. The other tools listed serve different purposes: Burp Suite is primarily focused on web application security testing, Wireshark is used for analyzing network traffic, and Snort is an intrusion detection system. While all these tools are important in the context of security assessments, Nmap specifically targets network vulnerabilities, making it the most fitting choice for this question.