Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

During which hacking phase does an attacker use steganography and tunneling techniques to maintain access and erase evidence?

1. Gaining Access

2. Reconnaissance

3. Clearing Tracks

4. Scanning

The correct answer is: Clearing Tracks

The phase during which an attacker employs steganography and tunneling techniques to maintain access and erase evidence is indeed Clearing Tracks. This phase focuses on the actions taken to hide the presence of the attack and prevent detection. Steganography allows an attacker to conceal their communication or data within other unsuspected files, while tunneling techniques can help to secure a channel that allows for continuous access to the compromised system without raising alarms. By utilizing these methods, an attacker can effectively mask their activities and make it difficult for security measures to identify malicious actions, thereby ensuring that they can retain access to the system over an extended period. During this phase, the primary goal is to remove any indicators that could alert system administrators or security personnel to the presence of the attack. This is achieved through various tactics, including deleting log files or executing scripts that clear digital footprints, thus rendering traditional detection methods ineffective. Hence, the Clearing Tracks phase is critical for attackers aiming to sustain their intrusion without being discovered.