200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
A security analyst is examining a Windows 10 host and suspects that an attacker has established persistence using a scheduled task. The analyst runs 'schtasks /query /fo LIST /v' and observes a task named 'WindowsUpdateCheck' with the action 'C:\Users\Public\update.exe' and a trigger set to run every 5 minutes. Which of the following best describes the attacker's technique?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a task with a legitimate-sounding name is safe, but the executable path and frequency are key indicators of malicious intent.
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
✓
The attacker is using a scheduled task to maintain persistence and execute a malicious binary at regular intervals.
Scheduled tasks are frequently abused by attackers to establish persistence. The task name 'WindowsUpdateCheck' is designed to look benign, but the executable path in C:\Users\Public and the 5-minute interval are suspicious. Attackers use such tasks to ensure their malware runs regularly, even after reboots. Analysts should investigate the binary and the task's origin.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The attacker is using a WMI event subscription to maintain persistence and execute a malicious binary at regular intervals.
Why it's wrong here
WMI event subscriptions can provide persistence and can trigger on events, but they are not scheduled tasks. They are stored in the WMI repository and are more complex to set up. The presence of a task in schtasks output clearly indicates a scheduled task, not a WMI subscription.
- ✗
The attacker is using a registry Run key to maintain persistence and execute a malicious binary at regular intervals.
Why it's wrong here
Registry Run keys execute a program when a user logs on, not at regular intervals. The observed behavior of running every 5 minutes is characteristic of a scheduled task, not a Run key. Additionally, Run keys would be found in the registry, not via schtasks.
- ✓
The attacker is using a scheduled task to maintain persistence and execute a malicious binary at regular intervals.
Why this is correct
Scheduled tasks are a common persistence mechanism. The task name 'WindowsUpdateCheck' mimics a legitimate update check, but the action points to a binary in C:\Users\Public, which is an unusual location for a legitimate update executable. The frequent trigger (every 5 minutes) ensures the malware runs regularly, maintaining persistence and possibly beaconing to a command-and-control server.
- ✗
The attacker is using a service to maintain persistence and execute a malicious binary at regular intervals.
Why it's wrong here
Services are another persistence mechanism, but they are managed by the Service Control Manager and would appear in the services list, not as scheduled tasks. The scenario explicitly mentions a scheduled task, so a service is not the correct description. Services typically run continuously or on demand, not on a 5-minute trigger.
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JA
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
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