The answer is `tasklist /svc` and `netstat -anob`. These two commands are the most useful for collecting volatile data from a live Windows system because they capture process-to-service mappings and active network connections, both of which reside exclusively in RAM and are lost upon reboot. `tasklist /svc` reveals which Windows services are running under each process, helping identify malicious services masquerading as legitimate ones, while `netstat -anob` displays listening ports, active connections, and the associated executable names and PIDs—critical for spotting unauthorized outbound traffic or backdoor listeners. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding of live forensics versus static disk analysis; a common trap is confusing `tasklist` alone (which lacks service context) with `tasklist /svc`, or picking `ipconfig` or `dir`, which capture non-volatile or static data. Remember the mnemonic: “Live data needs live commands—netstat for nets, tasklist for tasks with services attached.”
200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of host-based analysis. 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.
A security analyst is investigating a host that is suspected of being compromised. The analyst runs a series of commands to gather information. Which TWO of the following commands are most useful for collecting volatile data from a live Windows system? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
netstat -anob
The `netstat -anob` command displays active network connections, listening ports, and the associated process IDs (PIDs) along with the executable name. This is critical for identifying unauthorized outbound connections or backdoor listeners that indicate compromise. Because network state and process-to-port mappings reside in volatile memory (RAM), they are lost on reboot, making this command essential for live forensic collection.
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.
✓
netstat -anob
Why this is correct
Shows active network connections with associated process IDs and executables.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
tasklist /svc
Why this is correct
Lists processes and their services, crucial for identifying running malware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
dir /s C:\Windows\System32\config
Why it's wrong here
Lists files; not typically volatile and can be performed after acquisition.
✗
wevtutil qe System /c:10
Why it's wrong here
Queries event logs; while useful, it is not considered volatile data.
Queries registry for startup programs; not as volatile as network/process info.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between volatile (memory-resident) and non-volatile (disk-based) data, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly treat registry queries or event log exports as volatile because they are commonly used in live response, when in fact they read persistent disk artifacts.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Volatile data in Windows forensics follows the order of volatility (RFC 3227), with network connections and process lists at the top because they exist only in RAM. The `netstat -anob` command relies on the TCP/IP stack's in-memory MIB (Management Information Base) tables, while `tasklist /svc` queries the Windows process list via the Win32 API, reading the EPROCESS structures in kernel memory. A real-world scenario: an attacker using a reverse shell (e.g., Meterpreter) will show a suspicious ESTABLISHED connection to an external IP in `netstat` output, and `tasklist /svc` can reveal the malicious process running under a legitimate service name, both of which vanish after a reboot.
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 200-201 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.
Host-Based Analysis — This question tests Host-Based Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: netstat -anob — The `netstat -anob` command displays active network connections, listening ports, and the associated process IDs (PIDs) along with the executable name. This is critical for identifying unauthorized outbound connections or backdoor listeners that indicate compromise. Because network state and process-to-port mappings reside in volatile memory (RAM), they are lost on reboot, making this command essential for live forensic collection.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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