Why might a network administrator choose to use TCP Connect scanning?

Using TCP Connect scanning primarily serves the purpose of verifying whether specific ports on a target host are accessible and responsive. This method establishes a full TCP connection (the three-way handshake) to determine if a service is listening on each targeted port. If the SYN packet sent during the scan receives a SYN-ACK response, it indicates that the port is open; conversely, if a RST packet is returned, it signifies that the port is closed.

This approach is straightforward and can provide clear insights into the state of network services, making it particularly useful for administrators who need to assess which ports are actively accepting connections. It allows for direct communication with the target services, offering a reliable indicator of their availability and functionality.

While other options might have their own relevance, they do not specifically align with the core objective of TCP Connect scanning, which focuses on assessing port accessibility in a direct manner.