CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

What is the most effective way to replicate a student's method of illegally crediting funds to their student ID?

1. Monitoring their online activities

2. Using a protocol analyzer

3. Consulting with the development team

4. Creating a new transaction system

The correct answer is: Using a protocol analyzer

Utilizing a protocol analyzer is an effective approach for replicating the method by which a student has illegally credited funds to their student ID. A protocol analyzer is a tool that captures and analyzes the data packets sent over a network. By examining the communication between the client application and the server, an investigator can identify the specific requests and responses being transmitted. This can reveal the unauthorized methods or vulnerabilities exploited by the student to manipulate their account. With a protocol analyzer, one can observe how the transactions were conducted in detail, looking for patterns or anomalies in the data, and determining the exact mechanisms at play. This allows for a deeper understanding of the techniques used for the unauthorized manipulation of funds, facilitating the replication of the illegal activity for the purposes of security assessment and remediation. In contrast, strategies like monitoring online activities do not provide the same level of insight into the actual data exchanges involved, while consulting with the development team or creating a new system might not directly lead to understanding the illegitimate method employed. These approaches may focus on broader aspects of development or operational strategy that do not yield specific details about the unauthorized actions taken by the student.