- A
DNS responses with a large number of IP addresses
Why wrong: This could indicate DNS amplification, not exfiltration.
- B
DNS queries for AAAA records (IPv6) from an IPv4-only network
Why wrong: This is unusual but not a strong indicator of exfiltration.
- C
High volume of DNS queries to a single domain not normally visited
A sudden surge of queries to an unknown domain could indicate a DNS tunnel.
- D
Unusually large DNS TXT record responses
Large TXT records are used to carry exfiltrated data; normal TXT records are typically small.
- E
DNS query responses with high TTL values
Why wrong: TTL values are not typically associated with data exfiltration; they affect caching.
Question 568 of 1,000
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. 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 potential data exfiltration incident. Which TWO of the following are common indicators that data exfiltration may be occurring over DNS? (Choose two.)
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
✓
High volume of DNS queries to a single domain not normally visited
Option C is correct because a high volume of DNS queries to a single domain that is not normally visited is a classic indicator of DNS tunneling, where an attacker encodes exfiltrated data into DNS query subdomains. This behavior creates an abnormal query pattern that stands out in baseline traffic 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.
- ✗
DNS responses with a large number of IP addresses
Why it's wrong here
This could indicate DNS amplification, not exfiltration.
- ✗
DNS queries for AAAA records (IPv6) from an IPv4-only network
Why it's wrong here
This is unusual but not a strong indicator of exfiltration.
- ✓
High volume of DNS queries to a single domain not normally visited
Why this is correct
A sudden surge of queries to an unknown domain could indicate a DNS tunnel.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Unusually large DNS TXT record responses
Why this is correct
Large TXT records are used to carry exfiltrated data; normal TXT records are typically small.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DNS query responses with high TTL values
Why it's wrong here
TTL values are not typically associated with data exfiltration; they affect caching.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between normal DNS behavior (e.g., CDN responses with many IPs) and anomalous patterns specific to tunneling, so candidates mistakenly pick A or E because they sound 'unusual' without understanding the underlying exfiltration mechanism.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DNS tunneling exploits the fact that DNS queries are often allowed through firewalls without deep inspection. The attacker encodes data in the subdomain labels of a query (e.g., base64-encoded payload.attacker.com), and the response can carry commands or stolen data in TXT records. Tools like dnscat2 or Iodine rely on this technique, and detection often involves monitoring for unusually high query rates to a single domain or abnormally large TXT record sizes (over 512 bytes, triggering EDNS0).
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: High volume of DNS queries to a single domain not normally visited — Option C is correct because a high volume of DNS queries to a single domain that is not normally visited is a classic indicator of DNS tunneling, where an attacker encodes exfiltrated data into DNS query subdomains. This behavior creates an abnormal query pattern that stands out in baseline traffic analysis.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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