- A
Spyware
Why wrong: Spyware can include keyloggers, but keylogger is the specific type.
- B
Rootkit
Why wrong: Rootkit hides malicious activity, not specifically keylogging.
- C
Ransomware
Why wrong: Ransomware encrypts files for ransom, not keystroke logging.
- D
Keylogger
Keylogger specifically records keystrokes.
Question 36 of 1,000
200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. 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 attacker uses a tool to capture keystrokes on a compromised system. What type of malware is most likely in use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
Keylogger
Option D is correct because a keylogger is a type of malware specifically designed to capture and record keystrokes on a compromised system. The question directly describes the behavior of capturing keystrokes, which is the primary function of a keylogger, making it the most likely malware in use.
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.
- ✗
Spyware
Why it's wrong here
Spyware can include keyloggers, but keylogger is the specific type.
- ✗
Rootkit
Why it's wrong here
Rootkit hides malicious activity, not specifically keylogging.
- ✗
Ransomware
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware encrypts files for ransom, not keystroke logging.
- ✓
Keylogger
Why this is correct
Keylogger specifically records keystrokes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
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 a general category (spyware) and a specific type (keylogger), so the trap here is that candidates may choose spyware because it is a broader term, but the question asks for the most likely malware based on the specific behavior described.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Keyloggers can be implemented as software (e.g., hooking into the Windows keyboard event chain via SetWindowsHookEx API) or hardware (e.g., a physical device inserted between the keyboard and the computer). In a real-world scenario, an attacker might use a keylogger to harvest credentials for a targeted attack, and the captured data is often exfiltrated via HTTP POST requests or encrypted channels to avoid detection.
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.
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
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Keylogger — Option D is correct because a keylogger is a type of malware specifically designed to capture and record keystrokes on a compromised system. The question directly describes the behavior of capturing keystrokes, which is the primary function of a keylogger, making it the most likely malware in use.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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