200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
Which Windows Event ID corresponds to a successful user logon?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing 4624 (successful logon) with 4625 (failed logon) or 4648 (explicit credential use), since all three involve authentication and differ by only a few digits.
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
✓
4624
Event ID 4624 is correct because Windows Security auditing logs 4624 for a successful account logon, including the logon type (interactive, network, service, etc.) and the account and workstation involved. It is the canonical event analysts filter on to confirm successful authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
4648
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 4648 logs a logon attempt using explicit credentials, such as RunAs or a service account, not an ordinary interactive successful logon. It is tempting because it does record successful credential use, and would be correct when tracing explicit-credential or privilege-escalation activity.
- ✗
4776
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 4776 records credential validation by the domain controller, which occurs during authentication but is not the successful logon event itself. It would be the correct choice when auditing NTLM credential checks, not when confirming an account successfully logged on.
- ✗
4625
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 4625 records failed logon attempts, so it cannot evidence successful authentication in this scenario. It is tempting because failed-logon auditing is genuinely useful for detecting brute-force attacks and account lockout patterns, where 4625 is the correct event to monitor.
- ✓
4624
Why this is correct
Event ID 4624 is written to the Windows Security log whenever an account successfully authenticates, capturing logon type, account name and source. It is the definitive indicator of a successful user logon, unlike 4625, which records failures.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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