This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 needs to determine if a host is infected with malware that is attempting to contact a known malicious domain. Which log source is most appropriate for this analysis?
Syslog from the host
Why wrong: Syslog is generic and may not include DNS queries by default.
NetFlow records
Why wrong: NetFlow shows IP addresses and ports, not domain names, so cannot directly reveal malicious domains.
DNS server logs
DNS logs record all domain name queries, allowing detection of malicious domain lookups.
Data loss prevention (DLP) logs
Why wrong: DLP logs focus on data exfiltration, not domain lookups.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
DNS server logs
DNS server logs are the most appropriate source because they record all DNS queries made by hosts on the network. If a host is attempting to contact a known malicious domain, the DNS query for that domain will appear in the logs, allowing the analyst to identify the infected host by its source IP address and the timestamp of the query.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Syslog from the host
NetFlow records
Why it's wrong here
NetFlow shows IP addresses and ports, not domain names, so cannot directly reveal malicious domains.
DNS server logs
Why this is correct
DNS logs record all domain name queries, allowing detection of malicious domain lookups.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Data loss prevention (DLP) logs
Why it's wrong here
DLP logs focus on data exfiltration, not domain lookups.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between network-level logs that contain domain names (DNS logs) versus those that only contain IP addresses (NetFlow), leading candidates to mistakenly choose NetFlow because they think it captures all network activity.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
NetFlow shows IP addresses and ports, not domain names, so cannot directly reveal malicious domains.
Detailed technical explanation
DNS logs typically contain fields such as timestamp, source IP, queried domain, response code, and resolved IP address. By correlating these logs with a threat intelligence feed of known malicious domains, an analyst can quickly identify infected hosts. In a real-world scenario, malware often uses DNS to resolve command-and-control (C2) domains, and DNS logs can reveal these attempts even if the domain is later sinkholed or blocked.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: DNS server logs — DNS server logs are the most appropriate source because they record all DNS queries made by hosts on the network. If a host is attempting to contact a known malicious domain, the DNS query for that domain will appear in the logs, allowing the analyst to identify the infected host by its source IP address and the timestamp of the query.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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