CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What is a notable risk associated with NTP?

1. It is often blocked by firewalls

2. It can send traffic in the clear

3. It requires constant updates

4. It cannot synchronize over the internet

The correct answer is: It can send traffic in the clear

The notable risk associated with Network Time Protocol (NTP) is that it can send traffic in the clear. This means that NTP messages are not always encrypted, allowing potential attackers to intercept and manipulate the time synchronization data being communicated across the network. This lack of encryption can lead to a variety of security issues, such as replay attacks or time-based attacks, where an attacker could alter the time on network devices to create vulnerabilities. Since accurate timekeeping is critical for many security protocols and logging systems, any tampering with time synchronization may have serious implications for data integrity and security. In contrast, while it is true that NTP may face challenges with firewalls or require ongoing maintenance, these issues are not as critical as the risk posed by unencrypted traffic. Meanwhile, the ability to synchronize over the internet is a standard feature of NTP, which facilitates time synchronization across globally distributed networks. Thus, the clear-text nature of NTP traffic is the standout risk that can expose networks to various security threats.