Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which type of threat source was exploited by Jack when stealing data from a rival company?

1. Internal threats

2. Unintentional threats

3. External threats

4. Unstructured external threats

The correct answer is: External threats

The scenario presents Jack as someone who is stealing data from a rival company, indicating that he is likely an outsider or a competitor taking unauthorized actions against that company. This activity qualifies as an external threat because external threats encompass risks that originate from outside an organization, which can include competitors, hackers, or other malicious entities trying to access sensitive information. In the context of Jack's actions, he operates independently of the rival company's internal structure, suggesting a conscious choice to exploit vulnerabilities from outside that organization. External threats are significant because they can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, and other harmful consequences for the targeted organization. Understanding this type of threat is critical for companies as they develop strategies to protect their data against outside attacks. The other options, while they represent valid categories of threats, do not apply to the situation described. Internal threats involve risks from within the organization, such as disgruntled employees or insider negligence. Unintentional threats stem from accidental actions that lead to security breaches, rather than deliberate malicious intent. Unstructured external threats typically refer to less organized attacks, like opportunistic hacking, which may not fit the description of targeted data theft by a competitor.