200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
An analyst is examining a YARA rule that contains the condition: 'uint16(0) == 0x5a4d and filesize < 500KB'. What type of file is this rule targeting?
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
✓
Windows executable files
0x5A4D is the MZ header for Windows executables (PE files). The rule looks for files starting with 'MZ' and less than 500KB, likely targeting small malware executables.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Windows executable files
Why this is correct
The MZ header is characteristic of PE executables.
- ✗
PDF files
Why it's wrong here
PDF files start with '%PDF', not 0x5A4D.
- ✗
JPEG images
Why it's wrong here
JPEG files start with 0xFFD8FF.
- ✗
Linux ELF files
Why it's wrong here
ELF files start with 0x7F454C46.
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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.