Which term describes traffic containing signatures indicating an attempt to gain unauthorized access?

Which term describes traffic containing signatures indicating an attempt to gain unauthorized access?

• A. Reconnaissance
• B. Proactive
• C. Informational
• D. Denial of Service

Answer: (B)

Detecting traffic that matches known attack signatures is a proactive security measure. It means you’re actively looking for indicators that someone is trying to gain unauthorized access and you can respond to block or mitigate the threat before it succeeds. This focuses on preventing breaches by acting on detection signals rather than waiting for something to happen. Reconnaissance traffic is about information gathering and mapping out the target, which is a preparatory step, not an attempted breach itself. Informational traffic carries normal data without security significance, and Denial of Service involves overwhelming services rather than signaling an unauthorized access attempt. Recognizing and acting on these attack-signature signals embodies proactive defense.

Detecting traffic that matches known attack signatures is a proactive security measure. It means you’re actively looking for indicators that someone is trying to gain unauthorized access and you can respond to block or mitigate the threat before it succeeds. This focuses on preventing breaches by acting on detection signals rather than waiting for something to happen. Reconnaissance traffic is about information gathering and mapping out the target, which is a preparatory step, not an attempted breach itself. Informational traffic carries normal data without security significance, and Denial of Service involves overwhelming services rather than signaling an unauthorized access attempt. Recognizing and acting on these attack-signature signals embodies proactive defense.