Which scan utilizes a standard TCP three-way handshake?

The TCP connect scan is a technique that fully establishes a connection with the target by utilizing the standard TCP three-way handshake, which consists of a SYN packet sent to the target, followed by a SYN-ACK response from the target, and finally an ACK sent back to the target to complete the process. This method is straightforward and simulates a normal connection request, making it easy to implement and effective in identifying open ports.

The three-way handshake used in a TCP connect scan not only confirms that a port is open but also verifies that the target system is actively listening for connections. This information is crucial for penetration testers who seek to understand potential vulnerabilities in services running on the target device. In contrast, other scanning techniques, such as SYN scans or FIN scans, do not complete the handshake in the same way, and they employ different methods to infer the status of ports without establishing a full TCP connection.