Complete 312-50v13 ECCouncil Materials

Insecure communication is defined in CEH’s mobile and IoT security modules as the failure to encrypt sensitive data transmitted between a device and a server. When applications use plain HTTP instead of HTTPS, all traffic—including authentication tokens, user identifiers, and session data—can be monitored and altered by an attacker through network sniffing or man-in-the-middle attacks. CEH emphasizes that insecure transport channels represent one of the most common and critical weaknesses in mobile ecosystems, allowing attackers to harvest credentials or inject malicious commands. Security misconfiguration refers to improper server settings, while SSL pinning issues involve certificate validation bypassing. Insufficient input validation pertains to application-side data validation. None of these align as directly as insecure communication, which precisely describes the unencrypted data exposure.

A rootkit is a type of stealth malware designed to hide the existence of certain processes or programs from normal detection methods. It can:

Hide itself and other processes

Conceal files and registry entries

Intercept system calls or keystrokes (keylogging)

Maintain persistent access

From CEH v13 Courseware:

Module 6: Malware Threats → Rootkits

Incorrect Options:

A: A Trojan may offer remote access but doesn't necessarily hide itself.

C: DoS tools are used to overload systems, not hide.

D: Scanners detect vulnerabilities, not conceal activities.

E: A backdoor may provide unauthorized access, but rootkits focus on hiding.

CEH defines ethical hacking as the authorized, structured, and permission-based process of identifying vulnerabilities to strengthen an organization’s security posture. Ethical hackers operate under a signed scope-of-work and follow legal boundaries. Malicious hackers, by contrast, exploit systems without permission, often with harmful or criminal intent. CEH emphasizes that both ethical and malicious hackers may use similar tools, techniques, and methodologies; the distinction lies entirely in authorization, intent, and legality. Ethical hacking is conducted to improve defenses, while malicious hacking targets exploitation, theft, or disruption. Nothing in CEH materials suggests that toolsets or work styles distinguish the two groups; permission and lawful operation remain the central differentiators.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Nikto is an open-source web server scanner that:

Checks for common vulnerabilities

Detects outdated software versions

Flags insecure configurations and files

It is widely used for quick and comprehensive web vulnerability assessments.

From CEH v13 Courseware:

Module 10: Web Application Hacking → Web Vulnerability Scanning Tools