CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What is ARP poisoning primarily used for in network attacks?

1. To disrupt network routing protocols

2. To impersonate another device's IP address

3. To modify DNS requests

4. To gain unauthorized access to network devices

The correct answer is: To impersonate another device's IP address

ARP poisoning, also known as ARP spoofing, is a technique used in network attacks primarily to impersonate another device's IP address. In a local network, devices communicate using the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) to map IP addresses to MAC (Media Access Control) addresses. By sending false ARP messages, an attacker can associate their own MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate device on the network. This allows the attacker to intercept or manipulate traffic intended for that device, leading to various malicious outcomes such as data theft, man-in-the-middle attacks, or denial of service. The essence of ARP poisoning lies in the ability to deceive devices on the network about the true association of IP addresses to MAC addresses, enabling the attacker to position themselves in the communication flow between two devices without detection. This attack does not inherently disrupt network routing protocols, modify DNS requests, or directly gain unauthorized access to network devices; rather, it focuses on manipulating the way devices recognize each other, which can lead to further exploitation.