Which Network Mapper (Nmap) option performs a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) SYN scan to discover TCP ports?

### Why this is right The `-sS` option requests a TCP SYN scan, which probes TCP ports and reports their observed state. This is an active scan, so it sends traffic to the target and must be authorized. ### The concept Port scanning tests whether network services appear reachable through particular ports. Results such as open, closed, or filtered describe what the scanner can infer from responses or missing responses. A SYN scan is distinct from an ICMP echo request, which is primarily used for host discovery, and a UDP scan, which probes UDP services. ### The other options - **B. `-sU`**: this is used to scan User Datagram Protocol (UDP) services, not TCP ports. - **C. `-PE`**: this sends Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo requests for host discovery. - **D. `-oX`**: this saves scan output in Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. ### Terms - **Nmap**: Network Mapper. A tool for host and service discovery. - **TCP**: Transmission Control Protocol. A transport protocol used for reliable connections. - **UDP**: User Datagram Protocol. A transport protocol without a TCP-style connection setup. - **ICMP**: Internet Control Message Protocol. A protocol used for network messages such as echo requests. - **XML**: Extensible Markup Language. A structured format for data. ### Remember `-sS` is the TCP SYN scan; `-sU` is the UDP scan.