Which threat involves competitors unlawfully gathering data to undermine a target's market position?

• A. Footprinting
• B. Google Hacking
• C. Corporate Espionage
• D. Tracert

Answer: (C)

Gaining unauthorized data to undermine a competitor’s market position is corporate espionage. It involves illicitly collecting confidential information such as trade secrets, product plans, pricing strategies, customer lists, or supplier agreements to weaken a rival or gain a competitive edge. This kind of data theft or covert gathering is illegal and purposely aimed at harming a business’s standing in the market. By contrast, footprinting is about mapping a target’s network footprint to understand its attack surface; Google Hacking refers to using advanced search queries to uncover exposed information online; and Tracert is a networking tool used to trace the path data takes to a destination. These other activities describe techniques or tools, not the intentional act of unlawfully gathering competitive data to undermine market position.