200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
During an incident response, an analyst identifies a PCAP containing an HTTP POST request to a suspicious external IP with a large payload. The response is not typical for web applications. What type of activity is most likely occurring?
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 via HTTP POST to external IPs are indicative 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.
- ✗
SQL injection attack
Why it's wrong here
SQL injection typically uses GET parameters, not large POST.
- ✗
Normal web browsing
Why it's wrong here
Normal browsing rarely sends large POSTs to suspicious IPs.
- ✓
Data exfiltration
Why this is correct
Correct. Large POST to external IP suggests exfiltration.
- ✗
Command and control beaconing
Why it's wrong here
C2 beaconing is often periodic small packets, not large data.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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