200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
An analyst sees a Snort alert with the message 'ET POLICY Outbound connection to known malicious IP'. What does this 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 internal host is connecting to an IP that is on a threat intelligence blacklist.
Snort signature-based IDS alerts on matching rules. This alert indicates a connection from an internal host to a known malicious IP address, likely a command-and-control server.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A malicious IP is connecting to an internal host.
Why it's wrong here
The alert says 'Outbound connection', meaning from internal to external.
- ✗
The firewall blocked the connection.
Why it's wrong here
Snort is an IDS/IPS; the alert does not indicate blocking.
- ✓
An internal host is connecting to an IP that is on a threat intelligence blacklist.
Why this is correct
'Known malicious IP' indicates the destination is blacklisted.
- ✗
The connection is encrypted and safe.
Why it's wrong here
The alert indicates a policy violation, regardless of encryption.
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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.