The answer is that the host has finished its communication with the malicious IP. This interpretation is correct because the TCP TIME_WAIT state is entered after the local host sends the final ACK in the four-way connection termination handshake, meaning the host has completed its data exchange and is simply waiting for any delayed packets to arrive before fully releasing the socket. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between active and terminated connections in network traffic analysis, with a common trap being to mistake TIME_WAIT for an ongoing session or suspicious persistence. Remember that TIME_WAIT is a normal, brief cleanup phase initiated by the side that sends the first FIN, so if you see this state against a known malicious IP, the host is no longer actively communicating. A helpful memory tip: TIME_WAIT means the host is "waiting for time to pass" after saying goodbye, not still talking.
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.
A host inside the network has a connection to a known malicious IP with TCP state TIME_WAIT. What is the most likely interpretation?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The host has finished its communication
The TIME_WAIT TCP state indicates that the local host has initiated the closure of the connection and is waiting for any delayed packets to arrive before fully releasing the socket. This state is entered after the local host sends the final ACK in the four-way handshake, meaning the host has completed its communication with the remote IP. Therefore, the connection is finished, not ongoing.
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.
✓
The host has finished its communication
Why this is correct
Correct. TIME_WAIT means the local side has sent FIN and received ACK, waiting for potential retransmission.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The connection was terminated by the remote host
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. If remote terminated, the local state would be CLOSE_WAIT.
✗
The host is being scanned
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Scanning shows many short-lived connections, not necessarily TIME_WAIT.
✗
The host is actively infected and communicating
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Active communication would show ESTABLISHED, not TIME_WAIT.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that TIME_WAIT implies ongoing activity or remote termination, when in fact it specifically indicates the local host has completed the connection closure.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. Scanning shows many short-lived connections, not necessarily TIME_WAIT.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TIME_WAIT lasts for 2 * Maximum Segment Lifetime (MSL), typically 60 seconds in Windows or 2 minutes in Linux (RFC 793), ensuring all duplicate segments are discarded. This state is crucial for preventing data corruption from delayed packets in subsequent connections using the same socket pair. In network forensics, a TIME_WAIT connection to a known malicious IP suggests the host previously communicated with the IP but is no longer actively exchanging data, which could indicate past compromise or a one-time callback.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
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: The host has finished its communication — The TIME_WAIT TCP state indicates that the local host has initiated the closure of the connection and is waiting for any delayed packets to arrive before fully releasing the socket. This state is entered after the local host sends the final ACK in the four-way handshake, meaning the host has completed its communication with the remote IP. Therefore, the connection is finished, not ongoing.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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