Which of the following is the PRIMARY security related reason to use a tree network topology rather than a bus network topology?

The primary security-related reason to prefer a tree (or star) topology over a bus topology is to reduce the risk of data interception and eavesdropping. In a classic bus topology, all data packets are broadcast across a single shared communication medium, making them accessible to every node on the segment. Any node can capture all traffic. In a tree topology, which uses switches or hubs, traffic is typically directed only to the intended recipient port. This segmentation significantly enhances confidentiality by making it much more difficult for an unauthorized node to intercept data not addressed to it.

A. Easier network expansion and scalability is an operational and administrative benefit, not a primary security-related reason.
B. Better network performance and bandwidth utilization is a performance benefit, resulting from reduced collisions and dedicated bandwidth, not a primary security reason.
C. While a tree topology offers better fault isolation than a bus (a cable break on a bus can down the whole network), the inherent confidentiality weakness of a bus is a more fundamental security flaw.

1. Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2017). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.). Pearson. Chapter 6, "The Link Layer and LANs," Section 6.3, "Link-Layer Addressing and ARP." The text explains how modern switched LANs (star/tree topology) forward frames only to the destination port, unlike the broadcast nature of early bus-based Ethernet.

2. Forouzan, B. A. (2013). Data Communications and Networking (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Chapter 13, "Wired LANs: Ethernet." The text contrasts bus-based "Standard Ethernet" where all stations receive every frame, with switched Ethernet where the switch directs frames, enhancing "privacy."

3. Comer, D. E. (2018). Computer Networks and Internets (6th ed.). Pearson. Chapter 16, "LAN Technologies and Network Topologies." The chapter describes how a bus topology allows any station to "receive a copy of each packet," contrasting it with the point-to-point links used in a star/tree topology.