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.
Which TWO types of network traffic should be analyzed to detect a data exfiltration attempt via HTTP? (Choose two.)
ICMP echo requests
Why wrong: ICMP is not HTTP.
HTTP request headers
Headers may reveal suspicious patterns like custom user-agents.
HTTP request body
The body may contain data being exfiltrated.
DNS query responses
Why wrong: DNS is a separate protocol.
TCP three-way handshake
Why wrong: The handshake is normal for any TCP connection.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
HTTP request headers
HTTP request headers contain metadata such as User-Agent, Content-Type, and custom headers that can be manipulated to encode and exfiltrate data. The HTTP request body carries the payload, such as POST data, where stolen information can be embedded in form fields, JSON, or XML. Analyzing both allows detection of anomalous patterns indicative of data exfiltration.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
ICMP echo requests
HTTP request headers
Why this is correct
Headers may reveal suspicious patterns like custom user-agents.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
HTTP request body
Why this is correct
The body may contain data being exfiltrated.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
DNS query responses
Why it's wrong here
DNS is a separate protocol.
TCP three-way handshake
Why it's wrong here
The handshake is normal for any TCP connection.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between layers of the OSI model, trapping candidates who confuse transport-layer handshakes (TCP) or network-layer diagnostics (ICMP) with application-layer HTTP traffic analysis.
Detailed technical explanation
HTTP request headers can include custom fields (e.g., X-Exfil-Data) or abuse standard fields like Cookie or Referer to carry base64-encoded data. The request body in POST methods can contain large payloads that mimic legitimate form submissions, making it a common vector for exfiltration. Tools like Wireshark or Snort can inspect these fields for entropy anomalies or unexpected content types.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: HTTP request headers — HTTP request headers contain metadata such as User-Agent, Content-Type, and custom headers that can be manipulated to encode and exfiltrate data. The HTTP request body carries the payload, such as POST data, where stolen information can be embedded in form fields, JSON, or XML. Analyzing both allows detection of anomalous patterns indicative of data exfiltration.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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