- A
An HTTPS connection to a well-known website.
Why wrong: HTTPS to legitimate sites is normal.
- B
An unusually large ICMP echo request packet (e.g., 65,000 bytes).
Large ICMP packets could indicate a ping flood or covert channel.
- C
Unencrypted credentials in an HTTP packet.
Credentials sent in cleartext over HTTP can be intercepted.
- D
A normal DNS query for a common domain.
Why wrong: Common DNS queries are benign.
- E
A large number of TCP SYN packets to various ports on one host.
This indicates a port scan.
Question 120 of 1,000
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. 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 packet analysis in Wireshark, which THREE findings are indicators of potential malicious activity? (Choose THREE.)
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 unusually large ICMP echo request packet (e.g., 65,000 bytes).
Option B is correct because an unusually large ICMP echo request packet, such as 65,000 bytes, exceeds the maximum allowed size for a standard ICMP packet (typically 65,535 bytes total including headers, but the data payload should not exceed 65,527 bytes). This oversized packet is a classic indicator of a 'Ping of Death' attack, where the attacker sends a malformed packet that causes a buffer overflow on the target system, leading to a crash or remote code execution. In Wireshark, such an anomaly stands out against normal ICMP traffic, which usually has a small payload (e.g., 32 or 56 bytes).
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.
- ✗
An HTTPS connection to a well-known website.
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS to legitimate sites is normal.
- ✓
An unusually large ICMP echo request packet (e.g., 65,000 bytes).
Why this is correct
Large ICMP packets could indicate a ping flood or covert channel.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Unencrypted credentials in an HTTP packet.
Why this is correct
Credentials sent in cleartext over HTTP can be intercepted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A normal DNS query for a common domain.
Why it's wrong here
Common DNS queries are benign.
- ✓
A large number of TCP SYN packets to various ports on one host.
Why this is correct
This indicates a port scan.
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 normal traffic patterns and protocol anomalies; the trap here is that candidates may overlook the 'unusually large' qualifier and dismiss ICMP anomalies as benign, or mistake a legitimate HTTPS connection for suspicious activity due to encryption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Ping of Death exploits the IP fragmentation reassembly process: an ICMP echo request larger than the maximum IP packet size (65,535 bytes) is fragmented, and when the target reassembles it, the total size exceeds the kernel buffer, causing a crash. Modern operating systems have patched this vulnerability, but it remains a classic example of how protocol violations in packet analysis (e.g., oversized payloads, invalid flags) signal malicious intent. In Wireshark, you can filter for 'icmp and ip.len > 1500' to spot such anomalies.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An unusually large ICMP echo request packet (e.g., 65,000 bytes). — Option B is correct because an unusually large ICMP echo request packet, such as 65,000 bytes, exceeds the maximum allowed size for a standard ICMP packet (typically 65,535 bytes total including headers, but the data payload should not exceed 65,527 bytes). This oversized packet is a classic indicator of a 'Ping of Death' attack, where the attacker sends a malformed packet that causes a buffer overflow on the target system, leading to a crash or remote code execution. In Wireshark, such an anomaly stands out against normal ICMP traffic, which usually has a small payload (e.g., 32 or 56 bytes).
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.
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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