Which scanning method uses a pseudorandom permutation of IP addresses to determine the order of probes?

• A. Topological Scanning
• B. Random Scanning
• C. Hit-list Scanning
• D. Permutation Scanning

Answer: (D)

Permutation scanning orders probes using a pseudorandom permutation of the entire IP address space. You generate a permutation of all possible addresses, then probe in that fixed, seemingly random sequence. This means every target is reached once, but the order isn’t a simple, predictable pattern, which helps avoid detection and improves coverage. In contrast, topological scanning follows network structure to choose targets, hit-list scanning uses a predefined list, and random scanning picks targets in no fixed order—potentially wasting probes or repeating addresses. The key idea here is the deterministic yet pseudorandom ordering that permutation scanning provides.