200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
A security analyst discovers that an employee's computer is infected with malware that encrypts files and demands payment. What type of malware is this?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Ransomware
Ransomware encrypts files and demands a ransom for decryption.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Spyware
Why it's wrong here
Spyware secretly monitors user activity.
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Worm
Why it's wrong here
A worm self-replicates without user interaction.
- ✓
Ransomware
Why this is correct
Ransomware encrypts files and demands payment.
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Rootkit
Why it's wrong here
A rootkit hides malicious activity and maintains privileged access.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 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 200-201 exam.