- A
The attacker is probing for valid login page paths
The sequence shows an attempt to find the correct login page by trying different extensions.
- B
The requests indicate a brute-force login attempt
Why wrong: Brute-force would involve multiple passwords, not different file extensions.
- C
The source IP is likely performing a SQL injection
Why wrong: No SQL syntax is present in the URLs; it's file enumeration.
- D
The server is misconfigured to reveal directory listings
Why wrong: There is no evidence of directory listing; the attacker is guessing filenames.
- E
The successful 200 response indicates the attacker accessed the login page
The 200 status code shows the request for /admin/login.asp was successful.
Question 849 of 1,000
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An analyst is reviewing web server logs and sees the following entries: 'GET /admin/login.php HTTP/1.1' returning 404, followed by 'GET /admin/login.html' returning 404, then 'GET /admin/login.asp' returning 200. Which TWO observations are most relevant?
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 attacker is probing for valid login page paths
The sequence of requests probing different file extensions for the login page suggests a directory traversal or file enumeration attack. The fact that the attacker tried multiple extensions and succeeded with .asp may indicate the web server is running ASP. The 200 response is the successful access.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 attacker is probing for valid login page paths
Why this is correct
The sequence shows an attempt to find the correct login page by trying different extensions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The requests indicate a brute-force login attempt
Why it's wrong here
Brute-force would involve multiple passwords, not different file extensions.
- ✗
The source IP is likely performing a SQL injection
Why it's wrong here
No SQL syntax is present in the URLs; it's file enumeration.
- ✗
The server is misconfigured to reveal directory listings
Why it's wrong here
There is no evidence of directory listing; the attacker is guessing filenames.
- ✓
The successful 200 response indicates the attacker accessed the login page
Why this is correct
The 200 status code shows the request for /admin/login.asp was successful.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The attacker is probing for valid login page paths — The sequence of requests probing different file extensions for the login page suggests a directory traversal or file enumeration attack. The fact that the attacker tried multiple extensions and succeeded with .asp may indicate the web server is running ASP. The 200 response is the successful access.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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