Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which protocol does not offer strong security and transfers data in plaintext?

1. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

2. File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

3. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

4. Kerberos

The correct answer is: Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

The correct answer is Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). SNMP operates primarily in plaintext, which means that any data transmitted using this protocol is not encrypted. This characteristic makes it vulnerable to various attacks, as malicious actors can easily intercept and read the information being exchanged. Additionally, SNMP versions prior to version 3 do not provide any mechanisms for authentication, confidentiality, or integrity, further heightening its risk. In contrast, while File Transfer Protocol (FTP) also transfers data in plaintext, it is not the best choice for this particular question because SNMP is specifically designed for network device management, making it a common target and a notable example of using insecure protocols. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) functions differently, as it primarily helps in dynamically assigning IP addresses to devices on a network, but it typically implements some security measures to protect configuration information. Kerberos, on the other hand, is a robust authentication protocol that provides strong security through encryption and mutual authentication, thus clearly distinguishing it from the other options.