Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Cybersecurity Practice Test

What can malicious users achieve by sniffing data over a network?

1. Uploading data securely

2. Capturing unencrypted passwords and usernames

3. Encrypting sensitive information

4. Performing regular network scans

The correct answer is: Capturing unencrypted passwords and usernames

Sniffing data over a network involves intercepting the data packets that are transmitted between devices. Malicious users can exploit this technique to capture unencrypted passwords and usernames as they are transmitted across the network. When data is not encrypted, it can be read in plain text, making sensitive information like credentials vulnerable to theft. This is a concern in environments where secure communication protocols, such as HTTPS or VPNs, are not implemented, as users may unknowingly transmit sensitive information that can be easily intercepted. The ability to capture unencrypted passwords and usernames can lead to unauthorized access to systems, data breaches, and various forms of cyberattacks, thereby posing significant risks to individuals and organizations. In contrast, the other options do not pertain to the consequences of data sniffing correctly. Uploading data securely involves using encryption to protect the data being sent, which is not achievable through sniffing; encrypting sensitive information is a protective measure against sniffing rather than an outcome of it; and performing regular network scans is a proactive security measure that does not relate to intercepting data.