The correct answer is enabling Web Reputation filtering and using URL filtering categories. Cisco WSA URL filtering leverages pre-classified threat categories from Talos—such as malware, phishing, and spyware—to block entire groups of known malicious sites without requiring manual list maintenance, while Web Reputation filtering assigns a dynamic score from 1 to 10 (lower scores indicate higher risk) to catch unknown or emerging threats based on behavioral analysis. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this question tests your understanding of layered defense within the WSA, often appearing as a multi-select item where a common trap is choosing static blacklists over these automated, intelligence-driven methods. Remember the mnemonic “URL for known, Rep for unknown”—URL filtering handles what Talos has already classified, while reputation scoring catches the rest, ensuring comprehensive protection against malicious websites.
350-701 Content Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of content security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO actions are best practices when configuring a Cisco WSA to block malicious websites? (Choose two.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure URL filtering categories to block known malicious categories
Option A is correct because Cisco WSA URL filtering categories allow administrators to block entire groups of known malicious sites, such as malware, phishing, or spyware categories, which are pre-classified by Cisco Talos. This provides a broad, proactive defense against threats without needing to maintain individual URL block lists. Option E is correct because Web Reputation filtering uses a scoring system (1–10, with lower scores being more malicious) to dynamically block or warn users about websites with poor reputation, even if they are not in a specific malicious category, adding a layer of behavioral analysis.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Configure URL filtering categories to block known malicious categories
Why this is correct
Blocking categories like malware, phishing provides protection.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Set the default action to 'Monitor' for all categories
Reputation filtering blocks sites with poor reputation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that 'Monitor' mode is a safe default for security, when in fact it only logs traffic and does not block threats, leading candidates to incorrectly select Option B.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Web Reputation filtering on Cisco WSA leverages the Talos Security Intelligence and Research Group's global threat database, assigning reputation scores based on factors like domain age, traffic patterns, and known malware associations. URL filtering categories are updated dynamically via the Cisco Security Intelligence Operations (SIO) cloud, ensuring near-real-time protection against newly identified malicious domains. In practice, combining these two methods creates a defense-in-depth approach: URL filtering catches known categories, while reputation filtering catches unknown or low-reputation sites that may not yet be categorized.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 350-701 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Content Security — This question tests Content Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure URL filtering categories to block known malicious categories — Option A is correct because Cisco WSA URL filtering categories allow administrators to block entire groups of known malicious sites, such as malware, phishing, or spyware categories, which are pre-classified by Cisco Talos. This provides a broad, proactive defense against threats without needing to maintain individual URL block lists. Option E is correct because Web Reputation filtering uses a scoring system (1–10, with lower scores being more malicious) to dynamically block or warn users about websites with poor reputation, even if they are not in a specific malicious category, adding a layer of behavioral analysis.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This 350-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.