The answer is Process Explorer, because it is the most effective host-based analysis tool for identifying malicious processes on Windows by linking a running process directly to its active network connections and DNS queries. Unlike basic tools like Tasklist, which only lists process names, Process Explorer provides deep forensic details such as parent-child process relationships, loaded DLLs, and real-time TCP/UDP endpoints, allowing an analyst to trace a suspicious DNS query back to the exact executable or script responsible. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between host-based and network-based analysis techniques; a common trap is choosing Netstat, which shows active connections but does not map them to specific processes without additional flags like -b. Remember the memory tip: “Process Explorer connects the dots—if you see a bad DNS, check the process that owns the socket.”
200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of host-based 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.
A security analyst notices that a workstation is generating multiple DNS queries to a known malicious domain. Which host-based analysis technique would be most effective in confirming the infection?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Process Explorer to examine the process responsible for the DNS queries
Process Explorer is a host-based analysis tool that provides detailed information about running processes, including their network connections and DNS queries. By examining the process responsible for the DNS queries to the known malicious domain, the analyst can directly identify the infected executable or script, confirming the infection at the process level.
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.
✗
Review the Windows Firewall logs to see blocked connections
Why it's wrong here
Firewall logs may show outbound attempts but not necessarily identify the process.
✗
Check the scheduled tasks for suspicious entries
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled tasks could indicate persistence but may not show current activity.
✓
Use Process Explorer to examine the process responsible for the DNS queries
Why this is correct
Process Explorer can show network activity per process, directly linking the DNS queries to a specific executable.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Analyze the Windows Event Log for Event ID 5156
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 5156 is a Windows Filtering Platform connection, but may not show DNS queries specifically.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between host-based analysis tools (like Process Explorer) and log-based analysis (like firewall or event logs), trapping candidates who choose a log-based option when a process-level tool is needed to confirm the infection source.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Firewall logs may show outbound attempts but not necessarily identify the process.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Process Explorer, part of Sysinternals, can show TCP/IP connections per process via the 'Network' tab or by enabling the 'TCP/IP' column. For DNS queries specifically, the analyst can use the 'Find Handle or DLL' feature to search for the malicious domain string, revealing which process holds the handle. In a real-world scenario, malware often injects into legitimate processes (e.g., svchost.exe) to perform DNS queries, and Process Explorer can detect this by showing unexpected network activity from a normally non-networking process.
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.
Host-Based Analysis — This question tests Host-Based Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Process Explorer to examine the process responsible for the DNS queries — Process Explorer is a host-based analysis tool that provides detailed information about running processes, including their network connections and DNS queries. By examining the process responsible for the DNS queries to the known malicious domain, the analyst can directly identify the infected executable or script, confirming the infection at the process level.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Refer to the exhibit. An analyst runs tasklist /SVC on a suspected host. Which process is most suspicious?
easy
A.svchost.exe with PID 1500
B.svchost.exe with PID 1240
✓ C.notmalware.exe with PID 2300
D.svchost.exe with PID 1780
Why C: Option C is correct because 'notmalware.exe' is a deliberately suspicious process name that does not correspond to any legitimate Windows system binary. The tasklist /SVC command displays processes and their associated services; a process named 'notmalware.exe' is a clear indicator of potential malware attempting to disguise itself with an ironic name, whereas svchost.exe is a legitimate Windows host process for services.
Variation 2. A security analyst is investigating a suspected malware infection on a Windows host. The analyst wants to identify processes that have network connections. Which built-in Windows tool should the analyst use?
easy
✓ A.netstat
B.ipconfig
C.tasklist
D.nslookup
Why A: Netstat (network statistics) is the correct built-in Windows tool for displaying active TCP and UDP connections, listening ports, and the associated process IDs (PIDs). By using netstat with the `-b` or `-o` flag, the analyst can map each network connection to its owning process, which is essential for identifying suspicious processes communicating over the network.
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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