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200-201 Practice Question: A security analyst is reviewing a Snort alert…
A security analyst is reviewing a Snort alert that triggered on the signature 'ET TROJAN Win.Trojan.Generic'. What is the most likely reason this alert fired?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between signature categories (e.g., Trojan vs. exploit vs. policy violation) to see if candidates understand that each signature type is tailored to a specific threat behavior, not just any anomaly.
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
✓
A system infected with a trojan
The Snort signature 'ET TROJAN Win.Trojan.Generic' is designed to detect network traffic patterns or payloads associated with known Trojan malware. When this alert fires, it indicates that the sensor observed data matching the signature's characteristics, most likely from a system that is infected with a Trojan and is communicating with a command-and-control server or performing malicious activity.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A system infected with a trojan
Why this is correct
The signature specifically detects trojan activity.
- ✗
A legitimate Windows update
Why it's wrong here
Windows updates are not classified as trojans.
- ✗
A misconfigured firewall
Why it's wrong here
Firewall misconfigurations do not trigger trojan signatures.
- ✗
An attacker attempting to exploit a buffer overflow
Why it's wrong here
Buffer overflow signatures are different from trojan signatures.
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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.