Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What practice helps security specialists protect the network against password cracking attempts?

1. Use weak passwords

2. Check any suspicious application that stores passwords in memory

3. Disable account lockout

4. Allow password storage in unsecured locations

The correct answer is: Check any suspicious application that stores passwords in memory

The practice of checking any suspicious application that stores passwords in memory is vital for protecting the network against password cracking attempts because it helps identify potential vulnerabilities in the system. Applications that store passwords in memory can be targets for attackers who may use various techniques, such as memory scraping or process injection, to extract those passwords. By actively monitoring and examining these applications, security specialists can take proactive measures to ensure that sensitive information is not being exposed, particularly if an application is behaving unusually or has not been appropriately secured. This vigilance can help prevent attackers from gaining unauthorized access through compromised credentials, making it a crucial aspect of maintaining robust security measures within a network. In contrast, using weak passwords, disabling account lockout, and allowing password storage in unsecured locations would significantly increase the risk of password cracking and should be avoided, as these practices leave systems more vulnerable to access by malicious actors.