- A
Reconnaissance
Why wrong: Reconnaissance gathers information.
- B
Weaponization
Why wrong: Weaponization creates the payload, not transfer.
- C
Exploitation
Why wrong: Exploitation triggers the vulnerability.
- D
Delivery
Delivery transfers the weaponized payload.
Question 402 of 1,000
200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. 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.
During a forensic analysis, an analyst uses NetworkMiner to extract files from a PCAP. One of the extracted files contains a PE executable with a known signature of a malware variant. Which phase of the Cyber Kill Chain does the file transfer most likely represent?
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
✓
Delivery
The file transfer from the PCAP represents the Delivery phase because NetworkMiner extracted a PE executable that was transmitted over the network, likely via HTTP, SMTP, or SMB. In the Cyber Kill Chain, Delivery is the phase where the weaponized payload is transmitted to the target system, which is exactly what a file transfer in a PCAP captures. The presence of a known malware signature confirms the payload was delivered, not yet executed or exploited.
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.
- ✗
Reconnaissance
Why it's wrong here
Reconnaissance gathers information.
- ✗
Weaponization
Why it's wrong here
Weaponization creates the payload, not transfer.
- ✗
Exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Exploitation triggers the vulnerability.
- ✓
Delivery
Why this is correct
Delivery transfers the weaponized payload.
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 Delivery and Exploitation, where candidates mistakenly choose Exploitation because they see a malware file, but the PCAP only shows the transfer, not the execution or vulnerability trigger.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NetworkMiner operates at Layer 7, reassembling TCP streams and extracting files from protocols like HTTP (e.g., via GET/POST responses) or SMTP attachments. The PE executable's known signature (e.g., a hash matching a malware database) confirms it is a weaponized payload, but the Cyber Kill Chain's Delivery phase specifically covers the network transport mechanism, such as an HTTP download or email attachment, which is what the PCAP captures. In a real-world scenario, an analyst might see the file transferred over SMB via a phishing link, but without evidence of process creation or registry changes, it remains in Delivery.
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?
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Delivery — The file transfer from the PCAP represents the Delivery phase because NetworkMiner extracted a PE executable that was transmitted over the network, likely via HTTP, SMTP, or SMB. In the Cyber Kill Chain, Delivery is the phase where the weaponized payload is transmitted to the target system, which is exactly what a file transfer in a PCAP captures. The presence of a known malware signature confirms the payload was delivered, not yet executed or exploited.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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