200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
A security analyst is investigating an alert from a Windows system log that shows multiple failed logon attempts for the same user account within a short period, followed by a successful logon. Which type of attack does this pattern suggest?
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
✓
Brute-force attack
Multiple failed logons followed by a success indicates a brute-force attack where the attacker eventually guessed the correct password.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Brute-force attack
Why this is correct
Many failures then success is characteristic of brute-forcing.
- ✗
Pass-the-hash attack
Why it's wrong here
Pass-the-hash uses NTLM hash, not multiple failed attempts.
- ✗
Denial-of-service attack
Why it's wrong here
DoS aims to disrupt service, not logon attempts.
- ✗
Phishing attack
Why it's wrong here
Phishing involves tricking users, not system log patterns.
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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.