200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
An analyst is analyzing a suspicious executable file. Using the 'file' command, it returns 'data' instead of 'PE32 executable'. What is the most likely reason?
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
✓
The file has been packed or encrypted to hide its true nature.
The 'data' result indicates the file's magic bytes do not match known executables, suggesting it might be packed or obfuscated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The system is missing the file command database.
Why it's wrong here
If the database were missing, the command would fail, not return 'data'.
- ✗
The file is a legitimate PE file with a different extension.
Why it's wrong here
The 'file' command checks magic bytes, not extensions.
- ✗
The file is actually a script written in Python.
Why it's wrong here
Python scripts typically start with #!/usr/bin/python or are plain text.
- ✓
The file has been packed or encrypted to hide its true nature.
Why this is correct
Packed executables often have altered headers, causing 'file' to fail to recognize them.
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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.