Which timing template corresponds to the default 'Parallel, normal speed scan' when no speed is assigned?

• A. -T0
• B. -T1
• C. -T2
• D. The timing template -T3

Answer: (D)

Timing templates control how aggressively Nmap probes a network. When you don’t specify a speed, Nmap uses a default template that balances speed and stealth for general use. That default corresponds to a parallel, normal speed scan, which is represented by -T3. It sits at a middle ground—faster than the slow, stealth-focused templates but not as loud as the faster options. The other templates are designed for more cautious ( -T0, -T1, -T2 ) or more aggressive ( -T4, -T5 ) scans, so they don’t describe the default behavior. Hence, the default parallel, normal speed scan is -T3.