200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
An analyst is reviewing Windows Event Logs and sees Event ID 4625. What does this event indicate?
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
✓
An account logon failed
Event ID 4625 in the Security log indicates a failed logon attempt. This is often used to detect brute-force attacks or unauthorized access attempts.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Credential validation was attempted
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 4625 records a failed logon attempt, not credential validation itself. Validation success is logged as 4776 by the authenticating authority. It is tempting because 4625 sits within the logon/credential event family, but the specific outcome it captures is failure, so it cannot indicate that validation was attempted generically.
- ✓
An account logon failed
Why this is correct
Windows Event ID 4625 is logged in the Security log whenever a logon attempt fails, recording the account, source workstation and failure reason. It directly satisfies the stem's requirement to identify what this event indicates.
- ✗
An account was created
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 4625 indicates a failed logon attempt; account creation is logged as 4720. It is tempting because both events relate to account activity and appear in the same Security log during investigations, and 4625 would be correct if the question asked about unsuccessful authentication attempts.
- ✗
An account was successfully logged on
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 4625 records a failed logon attempt, including the account name and failure reason. Successful logons generate Event ID 4624. This option would be correct if the stem referenced 4624 or asked which event confirms a completed interactive or network logon.
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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.