In cybersecurity, which type of attack involves tampering with data in transit or disrupting communication between systems to bypass security?

In cybersecurity, which type of attack involves tampering with data in transit or disrupting communication between systems to bypass security?

• A. Passive attacks
• B. Insider Attack
• C. Distribution Attacks
• D. Active attacks

Answer: (D)

This question tests the distinction between passive and active attacks. Tampering with data in transit or disrupting communication between systems means the attacker is actively interfering with the data flow, not just listening. Active attacks involve modifying, injecting, replaying, or blocking messages to bypass security controls and affect integrity or availability. By contrast, passive attacks focus on eavesdropping and gathering information without altering the data or disrupting the channel. So tampering or disrupting communications is a hallmark of an active attack, since it directly changes or interrupts the data being exchanged.

This question tests the distinction between passive and active attacks. Tampering with data in transit or disrupting communication between systems means the attacker is actively interfering with the data flow, not just listening. Active attacks involve modifying, injecting, replaying, or blocking messages to bypass security controls and affect integrity or availability. By contrast, passive attacks focus on eavesdropping and gathering information without altering the data or disrupting the channel. So tampering or disrupting communications is a hallmark of an active attack, since it directly changes or interrupts the data being exchanged.