The answer is Event ID 4624, 4720, and 7045. These three Windows Event Log indicators of compromise are most commonly associated with a successful compromise because they map directly to the attacker’s post-exploitation lifecycle: 4720 signals persistence via a new backdoor account, 7045 reveals a new service installed to execute malicious code with system privileges, and 4624 records anomalous successful logons, such as from unexpected IPs or off-hours, using compromised credentials. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your ability to correlate specific Event IDs with attacker behavior, often appearing in scenario-based items where you must distinguish normal admin activity from malicious actions. A common trap is confusing 4624 with failed logon events (4625) or overlooking that 4720 and 7045 are post-compromise actions, not initial access. Remember the mnemonic “LNS” for Logon (4624), New user (4720), Service (7045) to recall the triad of successful compromise indicators.
200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of host-based analysis. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 THREE indicators in Windows Event Log are most commonly associated with a successful compromise?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Event ID 4720: A user account was created
Event ID 4720 indicates a new user account was created, which is a common post-compromise action where an attacker establishes persistence by adding a backdoor account. Event ID 7045 logs when a new service is installed, often used by malware or attackers to maintain persistence or execute code with system privileges. Event ID 4624 records successful logon events, which after a compromise may show anomalous logons (e.g., from unexpected IPs, off-hours, or using compromised credentials).
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.
✗
Event ID 4740: A user account was locked out
Why it's wrong here
Lockouts are associated with brute force, not necessarily compromise.
✓
Event ID 4720: A user account was created
Why this is correct
Creation of new accounts by attacker for persistence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Event ID 7045: A service was installed in the system
Why this is correct
Malware often installs as a service.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Event ID 4624: An account was successfully logged on
Why this is correct
Successful logon from unknown account or unusual time indicates compromise.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Event ID 5156: The Windows Filtering Platform allowed a connection
Why it's wrong here
This is common and not specific to compromise.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between events that indicate a successful compromise (e.g., account creation, service installation, successful logon) versus events that indicate failed attempts or normal operations, leading candidates to mistakenly select lockout or firewall allow events as compromise indicators.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Event ID 4720 is generated by the Security Account Manager (SAM) and includes the security identifier (SID) of the new account and the creator's SID, allowing forensic linkage to the compromising user. Event ID 7045 is logged by the Service Control Manager (SCM) and captures the service binary path, start type, and account name, which can reveal malicious services like backdoors or keyloggers. Event ID 4624 includes logon type (e.g., 2 for interactive, 10 for remote desktop), source IP, and authentication package, enabling detection of lateral movement or credential misuse.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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: Event ID 4720: A user account was created — Event ID 4720 indicates a new user account was created, which is a common post-compromise action where an attacker establishes persistence by adding a backdoor account. Event ID 7045 logs when a new service is installed, often used by malware or attackers to maintain persistence or execute code with system privileges. Event ID 4624 records successful logon events, which after a compromise may show anomalous logons (e.g., from unexpected IPs, off-hours, or using compromised credentials).
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. Which two Sysmon Event IDs are most commonly associated with code injection techniques?
easy
A.Event ID 3 (Network connect)
✓ B.Event ID 8 (CreateRemoteThread)
C.Event ID 1 (Process creation)
D.Event ID 7 (Image loaded)
✓ E.Event ID 10 (ProcessAccess)
Why B: Sysmon Event ID 8 (CreateRemoteThread) is directly associated with code injection because it logs when a thread is created in a remote process, a common technique used by malware to inject malicious code into a legitimate process. Event ID 10 (ProcessAccess) is also critical as it records when a process opens a handle to another process, often a precursor to injecting code via APIs like OpenProcess and WriteProcessMemory.
Variation 2. Match each Windows event log type to its description.
medium
Why : These are standard Windows Event Log categories.
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Question Discussion
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