- A
conn.log
Why wrong: conn.log is for connection summaries, not application layer.
- B
smtp.log
SMTP logs capture email traffic.
- C
weird.log
Why wrong: weird.log captures unusual activity, not a specific application protocol.
- D
dns.log
DNS logs capture domain name queries and responses.
- E
http.log
HTTP logs capture web traffic details.
Question 294 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 using Zeek to monitor network traffic. Which THREE types of logs can Zeek generate to provide visibility into application-layer activity?
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
✓
smtp.log
Zeek generates application-layer logs by parsing protocol-specific traffic. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is an application-layer protocol, and Zeek's smtp.log captures email transactions, including sender, recipient, and message IDs, providing visibility into email-based activity.
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.
- ✗
conn.log
Why it's wrong here
conn.log is for connection summaries, not application layer.
- ✓
smtp.log
Why this is correct
SMTP logs capture email traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
weird.log
Why it's wrong here
weird.log captures unusual activity, not a specific application protocol.
- ✓
dns.log
Why this is correct
DNS logs capture domain name queries and responses.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
http.log
Why this is correct
HTTP logs capture web traffic details.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between network-layer logs (conn.log) and application-layer logs (http.log, dns.log, smtp.log), and candidates may incorrectly assume conn.log covers application-layer activity because it includes port numbers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Zeek's application-layer log generation relies on protocol analyzers (e.g., for HTTP, DNS, SMTP) that decode and extract fields from the payload. For SMTP, Zeek tracks commands like MAIL FROM, RCPT TO, and DATA, and logs the extracted metadata in smtp.log. This allows analysts to reconstruct email flows and detect spam campaigns or data exfiltration without inspecting raw packet payloads.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
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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: smtp.log — Zeek generates application-layer logs by parsing protocol-specific traffic. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is an application-layer protocol, and Zeek's smtp.log captures email transactions, including sender, recipient, and message IDs, providing visibility into email-based activity.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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