What is the purpose of Ping Sweeping in network security?

Ping sweeping is a network scanning technique used to identify which IP addresses in a given range correspond to active devices or hosts. The primary purpose of this method is to assess the network’s topology and find out which devices are currently operational and reachable. When a ping command is sent out to multiple IP addresses within a subnet, any device configured to respond will send back a reply, confirming its presence on the network. This allows network administrators to map out active hosts, which can be useful in various scenarios, such as conducting security assessments, managing network resources, or planning for further network security measures.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary function of ping sweeping. While launching attacks on unauthorized access could be a consequence resulting from knowing active hosts, it is not the intended purpose of ping sweeping itself. Scanning for malware is a different procedure that focuses on the security health of individual computers rather than mapping out network presence. Checking for physical intrusions involves security measures related to physical access and surveillance, which are unrelated to the digital detection capabilities provided by ping sweeping. Thus, the correct understanding of ping sweeping lies firmly in its role in identifying active hosts within a network.