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?
⚠ Common exam trap
200-201 often tests the interpretation of entropy and import tables, and candidates may think high entropy always means malicious, but it can also indicate legitimate packing; however, combined with empty imports, it strongly suggests malicious packing.
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 close to 8.0 indicates that the file's data is highly random, which is characteristic of packed or encrypted content. An almost empty import table suggests that the file does not statically import many functions, common in packed malware that resolves imports dynamically at runtime. Together, these strongly indicate packing or obfuscation.
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
High entropy with a near-empty import table indicates packed or encrypted code, typical of malware, not a DLL. DLLs are identified by the IMAGE_FILE_DLL characteristic in the PE header, and legitimate DLLs normally expose a populated import table.
- ✗
The file is a standard Windows executable with many imports
Why it's wrong here
High entropy and an almost empty import table contradict the description of a standard executable with many imports; ordinary compiled binaries show low entropy and a populated import directory. That profile matches unpacked, conventionally linked software.
- ✗
The file has been digitally signed
Why it's wrong here
Digital signatures are stored in the certificate table and do not raise section entropy or empty the import table; signed malware still imports APIs. Signing is relevant when verifying publisher authenticity, not when interpreting packed or encrypted code.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 968 original 200-201 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.