Which method can be used to destroy or manipulate data?

Which method can be used to destroy or manipulate data?

• A. Wire tapping into a computer's communication links
• B. Using malware to infect computers
• C. Transmitting data to an outside destination without authorization
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

This question centers on how data can be destroyed or manipulated through different attack methods. Intercepting communications by tapping into a computer’s links can give an attacker the information needed to alter messages or inject malicious content, especially when combined with other steps that manipulate data in transit. Malware infections allow an attacker to take direct control of systems, enabling deletion, alteration, or corruption of files, databases, or applications, which directly compromises data integrity and availability. Transmitting data to an outside destination without authorization is a way to move data out of a trusted environment, and such unauthorized data flows can be used to misrepresent information, overwrite records, or otherwise disrupt correct data handling. Taken together, each method can be used to destroy or manipulate data, so all of these techniques collectively represent ways to compromise data.

This question centers on how data can be destroyed or manipulated through different attack methods. Intercepting communications by tapping into a computer’s links can give an attacker the information needed to alter messages or inject malicious content, especially when combined with other steps that manipulate data in transit. Malware infections allow an attacker to take direct control of systems, enabling deletion, alteration, or corruption of files, databases, or applications, which directly compromises data integrity and availability. Transmitting data to an outside destination without authorization is a way to move data out of a trusted environment, and such unauthorized data flows can be used to misrepresent information, overwrite records, or otherwise disrupt correct data handling. Taken together, each method can be used to destroy or manipulate data, so all of these techniques collectively represent ways to compromise data.