200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
An analyst is investigating a potential malware infection. Which TWO of the following are indicators of command and control (C2) communication?
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
✓
DNS queries with long, random subdomains
Beaconing at regular intervals and DNS queries with encoded subdomains are classic C2 indicators.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Large file transfers to a peer host
Why it's wrong here
Could be exfiltration, not C2.
- ✗
SYN scans to multiple hosts
Why it's wrong here
SYN scans are reconnaissance.
- ✗
Regular HTTP requests to a known update server
Why it's wrong here
Known update servers are legitimate.
- ✓
DNS queries with long, random subdomains
Why this is correct
Correct. DNS tunneling often uses long subdomains for C2.
- ✓
Periodic beaconing to an unusual domain
Why this is correct
Correct. Beaconing is a C2 hallmark.
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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.