200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
A security analyst is examining a suspicious executable found on a compromised host. The analyst runs the file in a sandbox and observes that it creates a mutex named 'Global\MyMutex123', attempts to connect to an external IP address on port 443, and modifies the registry key HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Which type of analysis is the analyst performing?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is equating sandbox execution with memory forensics, but memory forensics examines an existing memory image without running the sample.
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
✓
Dynamic analysis
Dynamic analysis is the process of executing malware in a controlled environment and observing its behavior, such as network connections, registry changes, and mutex creation. The analyst's actions in the sandbox directly match this definition. Static analysis, memory forensics, and log analysis do not involve running the sample and monitoring its runtime effects.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Static analysis
Why it's wrong here
Static analysis examines a file without executing it, using techniques like string extraction, disassembly, and header inspection. In this scenario, the analyst runs the file in a sandbox and observes its behavior, which is dynamic analysis. Confusing the two would lead to incomplete findings because static analysis alone may not reveal runtime actions such as network connections or registry modifications.
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Memory forensics
Why it's wrong here
Memory forensics analyzes a snapshot of volatile memory to identify running processes, injected code, and network connections. While it can reveal runtime behavior, it does not involve executing the sample in a sandbox. In this scenario, the analyst is actively running the executable and monitoring its actions, which is dynamic analysis, not memory forensics of an existing system state.
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Log analysis
Why it's wrong here
Log analysis involves reviewing system, application, or network logs to detect anomalies or reconstruct events. It does not include executing a suspicious file in a sandbox. The analyst here is observing the malware's direct behavior during execution, not parsing logs. Relying on log analysis alone might miss the real-time actions that dynamic analysis captures, especially if logging is incomplete.
- ✓
Dynamic analysis
Why this is correct
Dynamic analysis involves executing malware in a controlled environment, such as a sandbox, and observing its behavior, including process creation, network traffic, and file system changes. The analyst's observations of mutex creation, outbound connections, and registry modification are classic dynamic indicators. This approach reveals runtime actions that static analysis might miss due to obfuscation or packing.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.