This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 reviewing logs from a network-based IPS that detected traffic from an internal host connecting to a known malicious IP address on port 6667. The traffic is encrypted IRC. Which conclusion is most likely?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The traffic is a normal application update
Why wrong: Normal updates do not use IRC to known malicious IPs.
The host is running a legitimate IRC client
Why wrong: Legitimate clients would not connect to known malicious IPs.
The host is compromised and part of a botnet
Encrypted IRC to a malicious IP is a strong botnet indicator.
The IPS is generating a false positive
Why wrong: Known malicious IP reduces likelihood of false positive.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The host is compromised and part of a botnet
Port 6667 is the default port for IRC (Internet Relay Chat), and encrypted IRC traffic to a known malicious IP strongly indicates command-and-control (C2) communication. Botnets commonly use IRC over TLS/SSL to evade detection and issue commands to compromised hosts. Therefore, the host is most likely compromised and part of a botnet.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The traffic is a normal application update
Why it's wrong here
Normal updates do not use IRC to known malicious IPs.
The host is running a legitimate IRC client
Why it's wrong here
Legitimate clients would not connect to known malicious IPs.
The host is compromised and part of a botnet
Why this is correct
Encrypted IRC to a malicious IP is a strong botnet indicator.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The IPS is generating a false positive
Why it's wrong here
Known malicious IP reduces likelihood of false positive.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that encrypted traffic is always benign or that port 6667 is only used for legitimate chat, leading candidates to overlook the known malicious IP indicator.
Detailed technical explanation
IRC on port 6667 is a classic C2 channel for botnets because it provides a simple publish-subscribe model for issuing commands. Encrypted IRC (IRC over TLS) uses STARTTLS or direct SSL on port 6697, but some malware uses port 6667 with custom encryption to blend in. In real-world scenarios, analysts correlate such traffic with other indicators like unusual outbound connections or registry modifications to confirm compromise.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The host is compromised and part of a botnet — Port 6667 is the default port for IRC (Internet Relay Chat), and encrypted IRC traffic to a known malicious IP strongly indicates command-and-control (C2) communication. Botnets commonly use IRC over TLS/SSL to evade detection and issue commands to compromised hosts. Therefore, the host is most likely compromised and part of a botnet.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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