The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is one of the most recognized credentials in the field of cybersecurity. Offered by the EC-Council, this certification validates a professional’s skills in identifying vulnerabilities, securing systems, and ethically hacking into networks to evaluate their security.

CEH is globally respected and highly demanded by organizations looking to secure their IT infrastructure. This article will help aspiring ethical hackers by presenting 25 free practice questions along with insights into the exam structure, key concepts, and preparation strategies.

Why Engaging with Practice Questions is Vital for Success in the CEH Certification Journey

Achieving the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is not just about memorizing theoretical knowledge—it’s about mastering the art of applying cybersecurity principles in highly dynamic, real-world scenarios. One of the most effective ways to build this mastery is through extensive practice with thoughtfully designed, exam-aligned questions. The process of answering well-structured practice questions serves multiple purposes and addresses several dimensions of exam readiness.

Strengthening Conceptual Foundations Through Active Engagement

When candidates go beyond passive reading and begin actively solving practice questions, they initiate a powerful cognitive process that reinforces core principles of ethical hacking. This method of preparation enhances memory retention and helps solidify the technical concepts outlined in the EC-Council’s CEH blueprint. Concepts such as vulnerability scanning, system penetration, malware analysis, and network sniffing become more intuitive and easier to recall when applied in varied practice scenarios.

This hands-on method also enables candidates to see the practical application of tools like Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, and Burp Suite in simulated environments, which is crucial for ethical hackers who must understand not only how attacks are executed but how to detect, prevent, and remediate them. In turn, this builds the mental agility required to interpret and respond to complex real-time cyber threats.

Replicating Real-World Challenges to Build Cybersecurity Intuition

The CEH exam is crafted to test not just rote knowledge but practical intelligence. The inclusion of performance-based scenarios, which mirror actual cybersecurity situations, means aspirants must think like hackers—methodically and strategically. By immersing themselves in practice questions designed to reflect these challenges, learners sharpen their analytical and deductive reasoning skills.

Through consistent exposure to situational problems, aspirants become adept at identifying system weaknesses, recognizing anomalies, and formulating effective countermeasures. These exercises help transition learners from theoretical comprehension to practical intuition, a skill that is highly valued in roles such as penetration testers, threat intelligence analysts, and security consultants.

Boosting Confidence and Alleviating Test Anxiety

One often overlooked benefit of practicing exam-style questions is the psychological readiness it builds. Many test-takers experience anxiety due to unfamiliarity with the testing environment or uncertainty regarding question patterns and time constraints. Regularly working through mock questions helps desensitize individuals to the stressors associated with high-stakes certification exams.

As candidates see consistent improvements in their practice performance, they naturally gain a sense of confidence and control over the test-taking process. This mental edge is crucial, especially when navigating tricky scenario-based items or handling questions that require deep technical reasoning under time pressure.

Identifying Knowledge Gaps and Fine-Tuning Focus Areas

Practice assessments offer immediate feedback, which is invaluable for directing future study efforts. Rather than investing equal time across all CEH domains, test-takers can use their performance data to highlight specific areas requiring reinforcement. For instance, a candidate might excel in cryptography and scanning networks but struggle with IoT vulnerabilities or cloud-based security models.

By analyzing trends in their answers, learners can tailor their study schedules for maximum efficiency. This personalized learning path enables a deeper understanding of weaker topics, ensuring that all domains—from footprinting and reconnaissance to system hacking and social engineering—are adequately mastered before the exam date.

Bridging the Gap Between Passive Learning and Hands-On Experience

Relying solely on videos, books, and lectures without implementing practice questions is akin to reading about swimming without ever getting in the water. CEH preparation demands active engagement. Exam Labs, a leading provider of industry-standard exam preparation resources, offers comprehensive practice environments designed specifically for CEH aspirants.

These practice platforms emulate real-time attack simulations, allowing learners to test their skills in safe but realistic virtual labs. By pairing these labs with detailed question sets, learners can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical execution, which is essential in today’s multifaceted cybersecurity landscape.

Reinforcing Retention Through Repetition and Exposure

The human brain learns best through spaced repetition and contextual variety. Answering a wide range of practice questions ensures that the core concepts of CEH are revisited multiple times in different contexts. This prevents the formation of brittle knowledge and instead fosters adaptable problem-solving capabilities.

Moreover, practice sessions that include both correct and incorrect answer rationales provide learners with essential insight into why certain choices are right or wrong. This not only deepens comprehension but also trains the brain to avoid common pitfalls and traps that the actual exam may present.

Developing Exam Strategy and Time Management Skills

Time management is a crucial component of the CEH exam, which comprises 125 questions to be completed within four hours. Candidates must learn how to allocate time efficiently, navigate complex questions swiftly, and make educated guesses when necessary. Regular practice with timed question sets is instrumental in honing these skills.

Over time, test-takers learn to recognize question patterns, filter out distractors, and strategically tackle scenario-based items. Developing such a strategy not only improves accuracy but also ensures completion of the entire test within the allotted time, which is often a challenge for first-time examinees.

Staying Updated with Current Trends and Evolving Threats

Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field. The tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by attackers shift regularly. High-quality practice questions, such as those offered by Exam Labs, are updated to reflect the latest trends, technologies, and threat models in cybersecurity.

By engaging with these up-to-date resources, candidates ensure their knowledge is not only exam-relevant but also industry-relevant. This positions them to not just pass the exam but to excel in real-world roles where staying ahead of adversaries is paramount.

Enhancing Career Prospects with a Practical Learning Mindset

Employers value CEH-certified professionals who demonstrate not just certification but also capability. Candidates who undergo rigorous practice emerge from the process with heightened problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and situational awareness—all crucial traits in cybersecurity roles.

CEH practice questions prepare candidates to handle responsibilities such as incident response, ethical exploitation, threat modeling, and policy enforcement with a deeper understanding of how theory translates to practice. This readiness directly improves employability and long-term success in the cybersecurity domain.

Leveraging Practice Questions to Build Long-Term Skill Mastery

While passing the CEH exam is a significant milestone, the broader goal is to become a competent and effective ethical hacker. Solving practice questions cultivates long-term mastery by embedding foundational knowledge that professionals will rely on throughout their careers. From securing enterprise networks to conducting red team assessments, the capabilities sharpened through deliberate practice serve well beyond the exam room.

The repetition of core tasks—like identifying open ports, evaluating firewall configurations, and mitigating SQL injection attacks—strengthens professional competence and ensures lasting value from the CEH credential.

Embrace Practice as a Non-Negotiable Part of Your CEH Preparation

To truly excel in the CEH exam and beyond, aspirants must move beyond passive learning and fully embrace the power of applied practice. Practice questions are not merely a supplement—they are a central pillar in effective exam preparation.

By integrating daily sessions of carefully curated CEH questions from trusted providers like Exam Labs, candidates elevate their knowledge, sharpen their test strategy, and align themselves with the real-world demands of ethical hacking. Whether your goal is certification, career advancement, or cybersecurity mastery, there is no substitute for the value of targeted practice in achieving excellence.

A Complete Guide to the Structure and Format of the CEH Certification Exam

Before initiating your CEH certification journey, it is crucial to gain a clear and thorough understanding of the exam structure. Being well-informed about the format will help you tailor your preparation strategy, allocate your study time effectively, and approach the test with greater confidence. The Certified Ethical Hacker exam is designed to assess not only theoretical knowledge but also your ability to apply that knowledge in practical cybersecurity scenarios. Let’s explore the essential elements of the CEH exam format in detail.

Exam Identification and the Current Version

The official exam associated with the CEH credential is recognized by its code 312-50, which currently aligns with version 12, also known as CEH v12. This version reflects the most recent updates in cybersecurity methodologies, tools, and threats, ensuring that certified professionals are well-prepared to meet modern-day challenges in the digital security domain. Staying current with the latest version is important because it incorporates contemporary attack vectors, defense strategies, and regulatory practices that reflect real-world environments.

Structure and Style of Questions

The CEH certification exam consists entirely of multiple-choice questions. Each question presents a scenario or technical statement followed by four options, from which the candidate must select the most accurate or appropriate answer. This format evaluates your capacity to interpret scenarios, apply ethical hacking techniques, and make decisions based on both logical deduction and technical knowledge.

The use of multiple-choice questions allows the exam to cover a broad range of topics efficiently. These questions are designed to test conceptual understanding, procedural execution, and analytical thinking across a variety of domains such as reconnaissance, exploitation, post-exploitation, and system defense. In many cases, questions may describe simulated cybersecurity events, requiring the candidate to think like a real-world ethical hacker.

Duration and Time Management Expectations

Candidates are allotted a total of four hours to complete the exam. This generous time window is intended to allow for thoughtful analysis of each question, especially those that are scenario-based or involve complex technical processes. However, with 125 questions to complete, time management becomes a vital skill. Candidates must practice pacing themselves to avoid spending too long on any single question, while still ensuring each answer is given due consideration.

It is advisable to take full-length practice exams from reliable sources such as Exam Labs in order to build familiarity with the time constraints and simulate the actual exam experience. Developing a rhythm for answering questions—perhaps aiming for one question every two minutes—can ensure successful time allocation across the entire test.

Total Number of Questions in the Exam

The Certified Ethical Hacker exam includes 125 questions in total. This quantity ensures comprehensive coverage of all exam domains, from initial reconnaissance tactics to advanced exploitation methods. The questions are distributed in a way that touches on each major component of ethical hacking, including but not limited to network scanning, vulnerability analysis, malware threats, social engineering tactics, cryptography, cloud security, and incident handling.

Because of the wide-ranging topics, candidates are encouraged to use diverse study materials and resources, including hands-on labs, simulation-based learning platforms, and curated question banks from trusted providers like Exam Labs. A well-rounded approach is necessary to address the full breadth of the CEH syllabus.

Passing Score and Adaptive Difficulty Ranges

The passing score for the CEH exam is not fixed at a universal percentage. Instead, it varies between 60 to 85 percent depending on the difficulty of the specific set of questions delivered during the exam session. This variable threshold is part of the EC-Council’s psychometric testing methodology, which evaluates performance based on question complexity and candidate proficiency.

Because of this variability, candidates should aim to consistently achieve high scores—preferably above 85 percent—during their practice sessions to ensure a safe margin of success during the actual exam. Practicing a wide range of question difficulties is essential to prepare for potential fluctuations in test rigor.

Exam Delivery Methods and Access Options

There are two official methods for taking the CEH exam: through the ECC Exam Portal or via authorized Pearson VUE test centers. The ECC Exam Portal typically facilitates remote proctored exams, which allows candidates to attempt the test from the comfort of their home or office under strict supervision. This option is highly beneficial for those who do not have access to a local test center or prefer a more flexible scheduling experience.

Pearson VUE, on the other hand, offers in-person testing at authorized centers around the world. This traditional approach is often chosen by those who prefer a structured and distraction-free environment. Regardless of the method chosen, both options adhere to rigorous identity verification and exam security protocols to ensure exam integrity.

Comprehensive Coverage of Ethical Hacking Domains

The CEH exam is known for its expansive domain coverage, touching on every critical aspect of ethical hacking. Domains include but are not limited to:

• Reconnaissance and information gathering techniques

• Scanning networks and identifying vulnerabilities

• System hacking methodologies

• Trojans, backdoors, and other forms of malware

• Packet sniffing, denial of service attacks, and session hijacking

• Web application attacks including SQL injection and XSS

• Wireless network security and threats

• Mobile device vulnerabilities

• Internet of Things (IoT) security considerations

• Cloud computing security protocols and models

• Cryptographic systems and public key infrastructure (PKI)

• Social engineering, phishing, and human exploitation tactics

Each of these domains carries real-world relevance and is crafted to mirror the kinds of challenges ethical hackers face in modern enterprise environments. Mastery over these topics ensures not just exam readiness, but professional preparedness.

Importance of Familiarity with the Exam Format

Understanding the structure of the CEH exam is more than a formality—it is a strategic advantage. Familiarity with the layout, question types, timing, and domain distribution allows you to develop an effective study plan and a confident approach to the exam day. By integrating full-length simulations, domain-specific quizzes, and targeted performance reviews into your study regimen, you can sharpen your comprehension, eliminate uncertainty, and enhance your readiness.

High-quality platforms like Exam Labs provide realistic test environments that mimic the actual CEH interface and structure, helping learners build comfort with the user experience and mechanics of the exam. This level of preparation reduces surprises and equips candidates with the psychological edge needed to perform at their best.

Master the Exam Format to Unlock Your CEH Certification Success

Knowing what to expect is half the battle. A deep understanding of the CEH exam structure enables you to prepare with clarity, practice with purpose, and approach the certification process with confidence. By mastering the exam format—from question type and time management to domain distribution and scoring thresholds—you lay a solid foundation for success not just in the exam but in your cybersecurity career.

Make sure to utilize updated and reliable preparation resources from Exam Labs to reinforce your understanding and simulate the actual exam environment. With the right strategy and consistent effort, the CEH certification is well within reach, bringing you one step closer to becoming a skilled and certified ethical hacker.

In-Depth Analysis of the Key Domains Covered in the CEH Certification Exam

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is structured around a comprehensive set of cybersecurity knowledge areas that reflect both foundational principles and advanced techniques used in the ethical hacking profession. Each domain in the CEH exam blueprint contributes to developing the well-rounded skills needed to assess vulnerabilities, secure digital environments, and ethically test organizational security postures. Understanding these domains in detail is essential for effective preparation, especially when aiming to pass the exam on the first attempt.

Foundations of Information Security and Ethical Hacking Practices

This initial domain provides the essential framework for everything that follows in the CEH curriculum. It introduces the core concepts of cybersecurity, such as risk, threat, vulnerability, and the principles that govern ethical hacking. Candidates are expected to understand the difference between black-hat, white-hat, and gray-hat hackers, as well as the legal implications and professional responsibilities associated with ethical hacking.

This area also emphasizes methodologies used in security testing, such as the five phases of penetration testing: reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and covering tracks. Mastering this foundational domain equips candidates with a structured approach to security testing and a firm understanding of why ethical hacking is a critical component of modern cybersecurity strategies.

Techniques for Reconnaissance and Information Gathering

Reconnaissance is the first operational step in ethical hacking, and it involves collecting as much information as possible about a target before launching any active testing. This domain explores both passive and active reconnaissance techniques, such as footprinting, DNS enumeration, WHOIS lookups, and email harvesting.

Learners are trained to use various tools and scripts for gathering target data without triggering detection mechanisms. Skills in this domain are vital because the effectiveness of the later stages of a penetration test depends heavily on how much and what kind of intelligence is gathered early in the process.

Phases and Tactics of System Hacking

This domain delves into the core activities of ethical hacking: gaining unauthorized access to systems and escalating privileges. It includes concepts such as password cracking, keylogging, privilege escalation, and rootkits. The purpose of mastering these skills is not to conduct illegal intrusions but to simulate attacks in a controlled environment to test the strength of an organization’s defenses.

Candidates must also understand post-exploitation techniques like planting backdoors, establishing persistence, and clearing event logs. These topics help demonstrate how attackers move laterally within a system and how ethical hackers can test the same techniques to recommend better security controls.

Exploiting Web Applications and Securing Web Interfaces

With so many critical business functions now operating through web platforms, the security of web applications is a top priority. This domain explores common vulnerabilities in web environments, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, broken authentication, and insecure deserialization.

Learners study the OWASP Top 10 risks and gain familiarity with tools used to identify and exploit these weaknesses. Candidates should know how to simulate attacks against web-based login forms, session tokens, file upload mechanisms, and web APIs. The goal is to demonstrate how web applications can be exploited and to recommend remediation strategies.

Intrusions and Exploits in Wireless Networks

This domain focuses on the specific threats and attack vectors that affect wireless networks. It includes topics like wireless encryption protocols (WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3), rogue access points, evil twin attacks, and Wi-Fi sniffing.

Learners are expected to understand how to conduct wireless network assessments, identify misconfigured wireless settings, and detect unauthorized devices. Wireless security is especially important in organizations that rely on mobile devices and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, making it a key component of real-world ethical hacking projects.

Concepts and Application of Cryptographic Techniques

In the domain of cryptography, CEH candidates learn about the science of securing data through encryption and hashing techniques. The curriculum covers symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms such as AES, DES, RSA, and ECC. Learners are also expected to understand hashing algorithms including MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256, as well as digital signatures and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

Cryptographic understanding helps ethical hackers evaluate whether sensitive data is adequately protected in transit and at rest. This domain also includes attacks on cryptographic systems, such as brute-force attacks, cryptanalysis, and implementation flaws that could lead to data breaches.

Security Challenges in Cloud Environments and IoT Devices

As organizations increasingly adopt cloud computing platforms and integrate Internet of Things (IoT) devices into their networks, new threat landscapes emerge. This domain focuses on understanding those unique vulnerabilities.

In cloud security, candidates learn about shared responsibility models, virtual machine escape attacks, insecure APIs, and cloud misconfiguration issues. For IoT, the focus is on firmware manipulation, default credentials, and lack of encryption. Ethical hackers need to be aware of these technologies and capable of simulating attacks in cloud and IoT environments to offer sound security recommendations.

Psychological Manipulation and Human-Based Exploitation

The domain of social engineering is concerned with the human element of cybersecurity—how attackers manipulate people into giving up confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. This includes tactics like phishing, vishing, pretexting, and baiting.

Candidates learn to recognize signs of social engineering attacks and how to simulate them in a controlled environment to test an organization’s human defenses. This domain emphasizes the need for strong security awareness programs and teaches how to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs through ethical simulation.

Integrating Domain Knowledge for Holistic Cybersecurity Expertise

Each domain in the CEH exam contributes a vital skill set, and mastery requires integrating knowledge from all areas to form a holistic approach to cybersecurity. For example, an ethical hacker performing a real-world security assessment might begin with reconnaissance, proceed to scanning and exploitation, test web applications and wireless networks, examine encryption practices, and assess the human element through simulated social engineering.

This integration ensures that CEH-certified professionals are prepared to take on multifaceted roles in penetration testing teams, red teams, and cybersecurity operations centers. The knowledge and practical skills gained across these domains make certified ethical hackers highly valuable assets in protecting digital infrastructures.

Understand Each CEH Domain to Maximize Your Exam Performance

The CEH exam’s domain structure reflects the complexity of the modern cybersecurity environment. To succeed, candidates must go beyond memorization and build a strong, practical understanding of each domain. Using comprehensive resources from platforms like Exam Labs can significantly enhance your ability to apply concepts, simulate attacks ethically, and secure systems against real-world threats.

A focused study of each domain not only improves exam readiness but also prepares you for the dynamic challenges you will face as a certified ethical hacker. Make sure your preparation strategy includes deep dives into all CEH domains to ensure both certification success and long-term career growth in cybersecurity.

25 Free CEH Practice Questions

Question 1
Which stage in the ethical hacking process focuses on collecting publicly accessible data about a target system or organization?

1. A) Scanning
   B) Enumeration
   C) Footprinting
   D) Gaining Access

Answer: C

Explanation:
Footprinting is the first phase in the ethical hacking lifecycle and plays a foundational role in the success of any penetration test or cybersecurity assessment. During this phase, the ethical hacker aims to gather as much information as possible about the target from publicly available sources. This phase is strictly passive, meaning no direct interaction with the target system occurs. Instead, the attacker focuses on openly available data that could be used to map the network or understand organizational structures.

Some of the most common tools and techniques used in the footprinting phase include WHOIS lookups, DNS interrogation, social media profiling, Google hacking (also known as Google dorking), job listings, press releases, and website metadata analysis. The goal is to create a detailed profile of the target, including its IP address ranges, domain names, subdomains, employee names and roles, email addresses, technologies in use, and more. The information collected during footprinting is later used in the scanning and enumeration stages to further identify weaknesses.

By contrast, scanning (option A) is more active and involves probing the target’s systems for open ports, live hosts, and network services. This phase helps determine where potential vulnerabilities may lie. Enumeration (option B) follows scanning and includes more in-depth queries into systems to extract specific details such as user accounts, network shares, and service banners. Gaining access (option D) involves exploiting identified vulnerabilities to breach the system, which is several steps later in the hacking process.

Understanding and mastering the footprinting stage is critical for ethical hackers because it lays the groundwork for all subsequent actions. If done thoroughly, it can provide insights that help identify soft spots in an organization’s security posture without alerting the target to the fact that they are under observation. This reconnaissance can ultimately make or break a penetration test, highlighting the importance of precision and discretion during the footprinting phase.

Question 2
What is the main function of a vulnerability scanner in the context of cybersecurity?

1. A) To prevent DDoS attacks
   B) To identify system weaknesses
   C) To execute malware
   D) To encrypt communications

Answer: B

Explanation:
A vulnerability scanner is a crucial tool used in both defensive and offensive cybersecurity practices, primarily designed to identify security flaws, misconfigurations, and known vulnerabilities in networks, systems, applications, or devices. Its core purpose is to provide a detailed assessment of potential entry points that an attacker could exploit.

The scanning process typically involves comparing the scanned systems against a comprehensive database of known vulnerabilities, which includes those cataloged in repositories like the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database. The scanner may analyze open ports, operating system versions, running services, patch levels, software configurations, and more to evaluate whether they present any known security risks.

Unlike intrusion detection systems or firewalls, vulnerability scanners are not meant to prevent attacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), which eliminates option A. Instead, they focus on discovery and reporting. While they may detect vulnerabilities that could lead to such attacks, they do not actively mitigate them.

Option C, executing malware, is incorrect because vulnerability scanners are non-destructive tools that aim to identify vulnerabilities, not exploit them or launch harmful code. Their role is preventive and diagnostic rather than offensive or malicious.

Option D, encrypting communications, refers more to technologies like SSL/TLS or VPN protocols. These are used to secure data in transit and protect against eavesdropping, which is unrelated to what vulnerability scanners do.

Vulnerability scanners can be categorized into several types: network-based scanners, host-based scanners, web application scanners, and database scanners. Each serves a different layer of security analysis but shares the common goal of identifying and prioritizing weaknesses for remediation. Some well-known vulnerability scanners include Nessus, OpenVAS, QualysGuard, and Rapid7 Nexpose.

In ethical hacking, identifying system weaknesses through vulnerability scanning is a foundational step that precedes exploitation. It informs penetration testers about what areas to target and helps prioritize potential threats based on severity. In defensive security, it helps administrators proactively address security gaps before malicious actors can exploit them.

Question 3

Which port does HTTPS use by default?
A) 21
B) 23
C) 443
D) 80

Answer: C

Question 4

What is the function of a honeypot in cybersecurity?
A) Encrypt user data
B) Lure attackers and log their activity
C) Scan networks for vulnerabilities
D) Create firewalls

Answer: B

Question 5

Which tool is primarily used for network sniffing?
A) Nmap
B) Wireshark
C) Nessus
D) Metasploit

Answer: B

Question 6

What is ARP poisoning used for?
A) Bypassing antivirus software
B) Performing a man-in-the-middle attack
C) Cracking passwords
D) Encrypting data

Answer: B

Question 7

Which type of attack manipulates SQL queries through input fields?
A) Cross-site scripting
B) SQL injection
C) DNS poisoning
D) Session hijacking

Answer: B

Question 8

Which of the following is a strong example of multi-factor authentication?
A) Username + Password
B) Password + Security Question
C) Password + OTP from phone
D) Email + Username

Answer: C

Question 9

Which command is used with Nmap for OS detection?
A) -sS
B) -O
C) -A
D) -sV

Answer: B

Question 10

In cryptography, what does AES stand for?
A) Advanced Electronic Security
B) Automatic Encryption Service
C) Advanced Encryption Standard
D) Asymmetric Encryption Standard

Answer: C

Question 11

What is the main goal of ethical hacking?
A) Hack systems for fun
B) Sell data to the black market
C) Discover vulnerabilities for remediation
D) Build antivirus software

Answer: C

Question 12

Which tool is commonly used for password cracking?
A) Aircrack-ng
B) Burp Suite
C) Nikto
D) John the Ripper

Answer: D

Question 13

What is a Zero-Day vulnerability?
A) A vulnerability that has been patched
B) A virus with no impact
C) A vulnerability with no known fix at the time of discovery
D) A type of ransomware

Answer: C

Question 14

Which type of malware replicates itself to spread to other computers?
A) Worm
B) Trojan
C) Spyware
D) Adware

Answer: A

Question 15

Which tool can be used for exploiting vulnerabilities?
A) Wireshark
B) Metasploit
C) Cain & Abel
D) Nmap

Answer: B

Question 16

What is social engineering in cybersecurity?
A) Coding a virus
B) Exploiting human behavior to gain access
C) Cracking encrypted files
D) Performing penetration tests

Answer: B

Question 17

What is the use of the traceroute command?
A) Scan ports
B) Encrypt connections
C) Identify the path packets take to reach a destination
D) Remove malware

Answer: C

Question 18

Which attack floods a system with traffic to make it unavailable?
A) ARP spoofing
B) SQL injection
C) Denial-of-Service
D) Session Hijacking

Answer: C

Question 19

What does the CIA triad stand for?
A) Cryptography, Infrastructure, Access
B) Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability
C) Control, Investigation, Authentication
D) Cybersecurity, Intelligence, Application

Answer: B

Question 20

Which protocol encrypts email communication?
A) HTTP
B) SMTP
C) PGP
D) POP3

Answer: C

Question 21

Which of these is considered a reconnaissance tool?
A) Netcat
B) Nikto
C) Shodan
D) Aircrack-ng

Answer: C

Question 22

What is the default port for SSH?
A) 21
B) 23
C) 25
D) 22

Answer: D

Question 23

Which type of encryption uses the same key for encryption and decryption?
A) Asymmetric
B) Hashing
C) Symmetric
D) Elliptic Curve

Answer: C

Question 24

Which Linux command is used to list running processes?
A) ls
B) ps
C) netstat
D) chmod

Answer: B

Question 25

What does VPN stand for in cybersecurity?
A) Virtual Private Node
B) Verified Personal Network
C) Virtual Private Network
D) Vetted Protection Network

Answer: C

How to Use These Practice Questions Effectively

To make the most of these questions, follow these steps:

• Simulate exam conditions: Time yourself and take 25–50 questions at once to replicate the test environment.

• Review your answers: Don’t just memorize; understand why an answer is correct or incorrect.

• Note weak areas: Focus on domains where you score low and revise those topics in detail.

• Retake quizzes weekly: Consistent practice improves memory retention and accuracy.

Recommended Study Resources for CEH Certification

To enhance your learning, consider these resources:

• EC-Council Official Courseware

• CEH v12 eBooks and Practice Tests

• Examlabs or Boson CEH Test Series

• TryHackMe and Hack The Box

• Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit labs

• YouTube tutorials and walkthroughs

Final Thoughts

The Certified Ethical Hacker certification is a gateway to a promising career in cybersecurity. These 25 free practice questions give you a glimpse into the kind of knowledge and thinking the CEH exam requires.

To pass the exam, combine theory, practice questions, and real-world simulations. Stay updated on the latest tools, threats, and defense techniques. With consistent effort, achieving CEH certification is well within reach.

Let these questions be the first step in your ethical hacking journey.