Which cyberattack reroutes requests for legitimate websites to false websites?

Which cyberattack reroutes requests for legitimate websites to false websites?

• A. Phishing
• B. DDoS
• C. Hacking
• D. Pharming

Answer: (D)

This question tests understanding of a cyberattack that redirects requests for legitimate websites to fake ones by tampering with how domain names are translated into IP addresses. It happens when the domain name resolution process is corrupted—either by poisoning a DNS server so it returns the wrong IP address, or by altering a computer’s hosts file so a real URL points to an attacker’s site. The result is that typing a legitimate address leads you to a fraudulent site that looks real and can steal credentials or data. This differs from phishing, where deception happens through a misleading email or message that tricks you into clicking a malicious link. It also differs from a DDoS attack, which aims to overwhelm a site with traffic to make it unavailable rather than redirecting users to a counterfeit site. And while hacking is a broad term for unauthorized access, pharming is a specific method that focuses on redirecting address resolution to mislead users.

This question tests understanding of a cyberattack that redirects requests for legitimate websites to fake ones by tampering with how domain names are translated into IP addresses. It happens when the domain name resolution process is corrupted—either by poisoning a DNS server so it returns the wrong IP address, or by altering a computer’s hosts file so a real URL points to an attacker’s site. The result is that typing a legitimate address leads you to a fraudulent site that looks real and can steal credentials or data.

This differs from phishing, where deception happens through a misleading email or message that tricks you into clicking a malicious link. It also differs from a DDoS attack, which aims to overwhelm a site with traffic to make it unavailable rather than redirecting users to a counterfeit site. And while hacking is a broad term for unauthorized access, pharming is a specific method that focuses on redirecting address resolution to mislead users.