Pharming: Malicious Code Redirecting Web Traffic
Short answer
D Pharming uses malicious code to redirect web traffic to fraudulent sites.
Question
Which of the following tactics uses malicious code to redirect users’ web traffic?
Key Takeaways
The exam tests the distinction between attacks using human manipulation (Phishing) versus technical exploitation of DNS or host files (Pharming).
This question identifies Pharming as the attack that uses malicious code to redirect web traffic, distinguishing it from phishing which relies on social engineering.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse Pharming with Spear-phishing because both involve deceptive redirection, but only Pharming utilizes malware to alter traffic routing.
Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
D. Pharming is the correct answer because it specifically involves the use of malicious code or software to automatically redirect a user's web traffic to a different site without their knowledge. This can be achieved by modifying the local hosts file on a victim's computer or by exploiting vulnerabilities in DNS servers to point domain names to incorrect IP addresses.Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A and B are incorrect because Spear-phishing and Phishing rely on social engineering tactics to trick users into voluntarily visiting fake sites via deceptive links, rather than using background malicious code to redirect traffic. C is incorrect because Spimming refers to the interception of emails for marketing purposes and does not involve traffic redirection.Community Comment Notes
Community consensus strongly supports Pharming as the answer, with users noting that "every question on the exam was covered here." Comments clarify that pharming works by "installing a malicious program on the computer" or exploiting DNS vulnerabilities, confirming the technical nature of the attack.Exam Strategy
When distinguishing between social engineering and technical redirection, look for keywords like 'malicious code', 'DNS', or 'hosts file'. If the redirection happens without user interaction due to a technical exploit, it is likely Pharming.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pharming differ from Phishing?
Phishing tricks users via social engineering, while Pharming uses malware or DNS exploits to redirect traffic automatically without user consent.
Can Pharming target specific individuals?
Yes, targeted pharming can occur if an attacker compromises a specific user's hosts file or DNS settings, though it often affects many users simultaneously.
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Discussion 5 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded.
From public community threads 5
-
jeejy 👍 5 Answered DToday, I had an exam, and I can confidently say that every question on the exam was covered here. I passed.
-
prasoonmk 👍 2 Answered DPharming is a type of social engineering cyberattack in which criminals redirect internet users trying to reach a specific website to a different, fake site. These “spoofed” sites aim to capture a victim’s personally identifiable information (PII) and log-in credentials, such as passwords, social security numbers, account numbers, and so on, or else they attempt to install pharming malware on their computer. Pharmers often target websites in the financial sector, including banks, online payment platforms, or e-commerce sites, usually with identity theft as their ultimate objective. Pharming exploits the foundation of how internet browsing works — namely, that the sequence of letters that form an internet address, such as www.google.com, have to be converted into an IP address by a DNS server for the connection to proceed.
-
ahmedalkibsy 👍 1D. Pharming is a cyberattack intended to redirect a website's traffic to another, fake site by installing a malicious program on the computer. Pharming can be conducted either by changing the hosts file on a victim's computer or by exploitation of a vulnerability in DNS server software
-
insaniunt 👍 3 Answered DD. Pharming
-
kenjeshry 👍 1 Answered DCEHv12 p1353
Reader comments & corrections
No reader corrections yet — spotted an error or have a note? Share it below.