Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What is Edward's main goal when performing the website defacement attack?

1. To steal data

2. To damage the company's reputation

3. To secure user credentials

4. To retrieve sensitive information

The correct answer is: To damage the company's reputation

The primary motivation behind a website defacement attack typically revolves around damaging the target's reputation. In such attacks, the attacker alters the website’s visuals or content to send a message, often displaying their own agenda or ideology. This act can significantly harm the organization’s public image, erode trust among users, and possibly lead to financial loss due to a decrease in customer confidence. While data theft and securing user credentials are common goals in many cyberattacks, they do not align with the objectives of defacement, which is more focused on visibility and impact rather than stealth or information gathering. Similarly, retrieving sensitive information does not correlate with the typical intentions behind defacing a website, as the action itself is more about showcasing an act of vandalism rather than pursuing specific data. Therefore, damaging the company's reputation stands out as the correct focus for understanding Edward's goals in this scenario.