What is a characteristic of authenticated scans compared to unauthenticated ones?

Authenticated scans are designed to be performed with the credentials of a user who has access to the system being scanned. This access allows the scanning tools to gather more comprehensive and detailed information about the system’s configuration, software, and vulnerabilities. Because the authenticated scanner operates with higher privileges, it can delve into areas that are not accessible to unauthenticated scans, which typically only assess the external perimeter of the system and provide a limited view based on the information available without logging in.

This additional access results in a more thorough assessment of security vulnerabilities, configurations, and potential exploitable conditions within the system. Consequently, organizations can gain a clearer understanding of their security posture, which informs better remediation strategies.

Other options suggest different characteristics that do not accurately define the primary benefits of authenticated scans. While it’s true that authenticated scans might take longer due to the depth of information being retrieved or may have their own risks, these factors do not overshadow the main advantage of improved access to system details, which is essential for effective security assessment and testing.