CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Practice Test 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

The correct answer is "Threat Vector." This term is used to describe the method or pathway that an attacker uses to gain access to a victim's machine or network. It encompasses various tactics, techniques, or procedures employed by adversaries to exploit vulnerabilities, allowing them to execute attacks successfully. Threat vectors can range from phishing emails, which trick users into revealing sensitive information, to exploiting software vulnerabilities or using malware delivered through various means.

While "Access Vector" is related to the means of accessing a system, it is a broader term often used in context with vulnerabilities rather than specifically describing the method used against a victim. "Attack Path" refers to the strategic process an attacker takes through a system to reach and compromise the target, but it does not solely pertain to how access is first gained. "Exploitation Technique" focuses more on the specific techniques or methods used to exploit a discovered vulnerability rather than the broader access method itself. Thus, "Threat Vector" is the most appropriate term to represent the means of access to a victim’s machine.