Jane, a security analyst, is reviewing logs from hosts across the Internet which her company uses to
gather data on new malware. Which of the following is being implemented by Jane’s company?

A.
Vulnerability scanner

B.
Honeynet

C.
Protocol analyzer

D.
Port scanner

Explanation:
The Internet hosts used to gather data on new malware are known as honeypots. A collection of
honeypots is known as a honeynet.
A honeynet is a network set up with intentional vulnerabilities; its purpose is to invite attack, so that an
attacker’s activities and methods can be studied and that information used to increase network security.
A honeynet contains one or more honey pots, which are computer systems on the Internet expressly set
up to attract and “trap” people who attempt to penetrate other people’s computer systems. Although the
primary purpose of a honeynet is to gather information about attackers’ methods and motives, the decoy
network can benefit its operator in other ways, for example by diverting attackers from a real network
and its resources. The Honeynet Project, a non-profit research organization dedicated to computer
security and information sharing, actively promotes the deployment of honeynets.
In addition to the honey pots, a honeynet usually has real applications and services so that it seems like a
normal network and a worthwhile target. However, because the honeynet doesn’t actually serve any
authorized users, any attempt to contact the network from without is likely an illicit attempt to breach its
security, and any outbound activity is likely evidence that a system has been compromised. For this
reason, the suspect information is much more apparent than it would be in an actual network, where it
would have to be found amidst all the legitimate network data. Applications within a honeynet are often
given names such as “Finances” or “Human Services” to make them sound appealing to the attacker.A virtual honeynet is one that, while appearing to be an entire network, resides on a single server.
Incorrect Answers:
A: A vulnerability scanner is software designed to assess computers, computer systems, networks or
applications for weaknesses. This includes applications or default configurations posing a security risk. In
this question, we have computers set up with the aim of being attacked to enable Jane to gather data on
new malware. The question is asking about the computers themselves, not the tools used to assess the
computers. These computers form a honeynet.
C: A Protocol Analyzer is a hardware device or more commonly a software program used to capture
network data communications sent between devices on a network. This is not what is described in this
question.
D: A port scanner is typically a software application used to scan a system such as a computer or firewall
for open ports. A malicious user would attempt to access a system through an open port. A security
administrator would compare the list of open ports against a list of ports that need to be open so that
unnecessary ports can be closed thus reducing the vulnerability of the system. This is not what is
described in this question.

http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/honeynet