The answer is to perform a full antivirus scan on the host and review recent process activity. This is the correct first action for a trojan check-in alert because the encrypted traffic and outdated antivirus logs create a strong suspicion of compromise, but you lack definitive proof; a scan and process review provide immediate, low-risk verification of the host’s state before escalating to containment or isolation. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests the principle of “verify before you act” in incident response, specifically the order of operations when an IDS alert lacks full context—a common trap is jumping to network-blocking actions (like blocking the external IP) without confirming the host is truly infected, which could disrupt legitimate HR portal access. Remember the mnemonic “Scan First, Block Last” to avoid overreacting to encrypted traffic that might be a false positive.
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.
As a SOC analyst, you are reviewing alerts from a network-based IDS. One alert is for 'ET TROJAN Zeus Trojan Check-in' triggered by traffic from an internal host to an external IP on port 8080. The IDS packet capture shows the traffic is encrypted. You check the host's antivirus logs and find that the host has not been scanned in 30 days. The host belongs to the HR department and typically accesses only internal resources and a few external HR portals. What should be your first action?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Perform a full antivirus scan on the host and review recent process activity.
Option C is correct because the alert indicates possible trojan activity; verifying with a scan and process review is appropriate before taking more drastic action. Option A is too aggressive without confirmation. Option B may be done but first need to verify host compromise. Option D is dangerous.
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.
✗
Ignore the alert because it is encrypted and likely a false positive.
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring could miss a real infection.
✗
Block the external IP address at the firewall.
Why it's wrong here
Blocking the IP is a secondary step after host verification.
✗
Immediately isolate the host from the network by disabling its switch port.
Why it's wrong here
Isolation is too aggressive without confirmation of compromise.
✓
Perform a full antivirus scan on the host and review recent process activity.
Why this is correct
This verifies if the host is actually compromised.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" 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
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Perform a full antivirus scan on the host and review recent process activity. — Option C is correct because the alert indicates possible trojan activity; verifying with a scan and process review is appropriate before taking more drastic action. Option A is too aggressive without confirmation. Option B may be done but first need to verify host compromise. Option D is dangerous.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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