Which method is used to examine a group of hosts or a network known for...

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

An automated vulnerability scanning tool is designed specifically to scan systems, hosts, or networks for known vulnerabilities based on a maintained vulnerability database. These tools are efficient for covering large environments quickly and are commonly used in routine security assessments.

Security testing and evaluation (A) is broader and includes manual assessments. Penetration testing (C) simulates real-world attacks but is usually more targeted and time-intensive.