CompTIA PenTest+ Practice Test

What is the Linux command used to read from or write to network connections over different protocols?

1. Netcat

2. SSH

3. RSH

4. Telnet

The correct answer is: Netcat

Netcat is widely recognized for its versatility in networking tasks, making it the correct choice for this question. It serves as a powerful tool that allows users to establish connections and transfer data over various protocols—including TCP and UDP. With Netcat, you can not only read from but also write to network connections, enabling functionalities such as port scanning, file transfers, and creating reverse shells, which are essential tasks in penetration testing. Other tools mentioned have their specific use cases but do not match the broad functionality of Netcat. SSH (Secure Shell) is primarily used for secure remote logins and executing commands on remote machines rather than generic network communication. RSH (Remote Shell) offers some remote execution capabilities but lacks the versatility and security features found in Netcat. Telnet facilitates remote connections as well, but it does not support the same range of functionalities in terms of protocol handling and is generally considered insecure for modern applications. Understanding these distinctions is crucial when evaluating the best tool for networking tasks in a penetration testing context.