200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
An analyst identifies a PCAP with a reverse shell session. Which characteristic in the traffic would most likely indicate an interactive shell session?
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
✓
Bidirectional traffic with small packets and command echo patterns
Reverse shells often exhibit bidirectional traffic with interactive patterns, such as small irregular packets and commands echoed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Large file transfers over FTP
Why it's wrong here
FTP transfers are unidirectional and not interactive.
- ✓
Bidirectional traffic with small packets and command echo patterns
Why this is correct
Correct. Interactive shells show bidirectional small packets with commands and responses.
- ✗
Periodic HTTP GET requests at regular intervals
Why it's wrong here
Regular GETs indicate beaconing, not interactive shell.
- ✗
Constant stream of UDP packets
Why it's wrong here
UDP streams are often for streaming, not interactive shell.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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