200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
An analyst reviews network logs and sees a large outbound FTP transfer of 500 MB from a workstation to an external IP at 2:00 AM. The workstation regularly sends 10 MB daily. What should the analyst suspect?
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
✓
Data exfiltration
Large outbound data transfers outside normal patterns, especially at odd hours, are typical of data exfiltration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
C2 beaconing
Why it's wrong here
C2 beaconing involves small, periodic callbacks to maintain control, not a single 500 MB transfer. The volume and one-off nature point to data exfiltration; beaconing would be suspected from regular low-volume connections at fixed intervals.
- ✗
Normal backup operation
Why it's wrong here
Backups normally run to internal servers on a schedule, not to an arbitrary external IP over FTP. The 50-fold volume spike and 02:00 timing fit exfiltration; a backup explanation would require an established, documented destination and retention policy.
- ✗
Software update
Why it's wrong here
Software updates typically pull inbound from vendor servers over HTTPS, not push 500 MB outbound over FTP at 02:00. The anomaly is the direction, protocol and timing; updates would be the likely cause of scheduled, signed, inbound downloads during business hours.
- ✓
Data exfiltration
Why this is correct
A 500 MB outbound FTP transfer at 2:00 AM, vastly exceeding the workstation's normal 10 MB daily volume, indicates bulk data leaving the network. This anomalous volume and timing point to data exfiltration rather than routine activity or a benign transfer.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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