GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies Practice Test

Which tool is commonly used for network exploration and security auditing?

1. Nmap

2. Wireshark

3. Metasploit

4. Burp Suite

The correct answer is: Nmap

Nmap is widely recognized as a powerful tool for network exploration and security auditing. It enables users to discover hosts and services on a computer network by sending packets and analyzing the responses. This capability is crucial for assessing the security posture of a network, as it allows for the identification of open ports, running services, and potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. When conducting security audits, Nmap can help security professionals understand network layouts, identify devices, and detect misconfigurations or unnecessary services that may pose security risks. It is efficient at performing tasks like OS fingerprinting, version detection, and running various scanning techniques, making it an essential tool in a cybersecurity toolkit. While Wireshark is an excellent tool for capturing and analyzing network traffic and can be used for troubleshooting and detecting network anomalies, it is not primarily focused on network exploration. Metasploit serves as a framework for developing and executing exploit code against a remote target but does not specialize in network mapping. Burp Suite is focused on web application security testing and is not designed for general network exploration or auditing. Therefore, Nmap stands out as the appropriate choice for the specified functions in the question.