200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
During an incident response, an analyst checks for persistence mechanisms and finds an entry under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. What is the most likely purpose of this registry key?
⚠ Common exam trap
200-201 often tests the knowledge of common persistence mechanisms. Candidates might confuse the Run key with other registry keys that store user settings or recent documents, but the Run key is specifically for autostart programs.
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
✓
It specifies programs to run automatically at user logon.
It specifies programs to run automatically at user logon is correct because the HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run registry key is a common autostart location that executes programs when the user logs in. Attackers often use this key for persistence to ensure their malware runs after a reboot or logon.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It lists recently accessed documents.
Why it's wrong here
Recent documents are tracked under Explorer's RecentDocs and the Jump List stores, not Run, so this key does not record file history. It is tempting because HKCU does hold user activity artefacts, but Run specifically holds commands Windows executes when the user signs in.
- ✓
It specifies programs to run automatically at user logon.
Why this is correct
The Run key under HKCU executes listed programs automatically each time that user logs on, giving malware persistence without administrative rights. This satisfies the stem's persistence mechanism: the entry survives reboots and relaunches the payload at user logon, unlike one-time execution or system-wide services requiring elevation.
- ✗
It stores user interface settings for the current user.
Why it's wrong here
That path stores per-user preferences such as window positions and Explorer settings, not executable launch instructions, so it cannot auto-start malware. It is tempting because HKCU genuinely holds user-scoped configuration, but persistence requires a value under Run, RunOnce or a similar autostart key.
- ✗
It controls Windows Defender exclusions.
Why it's wrong here
Defender exclusions live under the Windows Defender policy keys, not the Run key, so an entry there cannot alter scanning. It is tempting because attackers do abuse exclusion paths to evade detection, but that mechanism is configured elsewhere and does not execute a program at logon.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.