200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
An analyst is investigating a host that is making outbound HTTPS connections to multiple random-looking domains, each with a short TTL. The domains are not in any threat intelligence feeds. Which technique is most likely being used?
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
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Domain Generation Algorithm (DGA)
Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs) generate many random domain names to evade blocklists. Short TTLs allow fast changes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Domain Generation Algorithm (DGA)
Why this is correct
DGA malware generates large volumes of pseudo-random domains, cycling through them via short TTLs to evade blocklists. Because each domain is algorithmically produced and rapidly rotated, it will not yet appear in threat intelligence feeds, matching the observed HTTPS beaconing pattern.
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Beaconing
Why it's wrong here
Beaconing is periodic callback traffic to one or a few command-and-control endpoints, not outbound HTTPS connections to multiple distinct random-looking domains with short TTLs. It is tempting because beaconing also evades threat intelligence, but it would be the correct choice when the host contacts a stable, repeating destination at fixed intervals.
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DNS tunneling
Why it's wrong here
DNS tunneling encodes data in DNS queries, not necessarily many domains.
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Fast flux DNS
Why it's wrong here
Fast flux DNS rotates many IP addresses behind a single domain to evade blocking, whereas this scenario shows many distinct random-looking domains each with a short TTL, indicating domain generation algorithm activity. It is tempting because both involve short TTLs, but fast flux would be the correct choice when one domain resolves to rapidly changing addresses.
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JA
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.