Which timing template would you select if you want relatively fast but moderate detection risk?

• A. -T3 is the default template.
• B. -T4 is faster than -T3 but increases IDS detection risk.
• C. -T0 is very fast but stealthy.
• D. -T5 is the slowest.

Answer: (B)

Timing templates control how aggressively Nmap probes the network, balancing speed with the chance of being noticed by defenses. The goal here is to scan relatively fast while keeping detection risk at a moderate level. The default -T3 provides a balanced baseline, but another option speeds things up while increasing detectability. The template that fits that trade-off is the one that is faster than the default yet carries a noticeable but not extreme increase in detection risk. The other templates either slow things down too much for this goal or crank up speed and risk far more (or are designed for stealth at the cost of speed). So the best choice is the faster option that still keeps risk at a manageable level.