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200-201 Practice Question: A security analyst is reviewing baseline network…
A security analyst is reviewing baseline network traffic and notices that the normal HTTP traffic volume has increased by 300% over the past hour. The increase is from a single client IP to a single external web server. What does this indicate?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between a single-source anomaly (exfiltration or DoS) and a multi-source anomaly (DDoS), and the trap here is that candidates confuse a traffic volume increase with a DoS attack, ignoring the single-source indicator that points to exfiltration.
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
✓
Possible data exfiltration via HTTP
A 300% increase in HTTP traffic from a single client IP to a single external web server is anomalous and strongly suggests data exfiltration. Attackers often use HTTP (port 80) to tunnel stolen data out of a network because it is typically allowed through firewalls and proxies without inspection. The fact that the traffic is from one IP to one server indicates a targeted, non-distributed activity, which aligns with exfiltration rather than a volumetric attack.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Possible data exfiltration via HTTP
Why this is correct
Large upload of data to a single external server is suspicious.
- ✗
A denial-of-service (DoS) attack against the web server
Why it's wrong here
DoS would show many sources or massive traffic from many IPs.
- ✗
A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack from botnets
Why it's wrong here
DDoS involves multiple sources, not one.
- ✗
Normal fluctuations during peak hours
Why it's wrong here
A 300% increase from one host is not normal fluctuation.
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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.