200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
An analyst is examining a suspicious PE file. The file's entropy is very high (close to 8.0) and the import table is almost empty. What does this indicate?
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 is likely packed or obfuscated
High entropy and a sparse import table strongly suggest the file is packed or encrypted. Packers often compress the original code, raising entropy and obfuscating imports.
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 file is likely packed or obfuscated
Why this is correct
High entropy and few imports indicate packing.
- ✗
The file is a DLL file
Why it's wrong here
DLLs also have imports; high entropy is not typical.
- ✗
The file is a standard Windows executable with many imports
Why it's wrong here
A standard executable would have many imports and lower entropy.
- ✗
The file has been digitally signed
Why it's wrong here
Digital signing does not affect entropy or imports.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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