The answer is to query the web proxy logs for HTTP requests containing the URL. This is the correct first action because web proxy logs capture every outbound HTTP request made by a client, including the full path of the destination URL. When an employee clicks a phishing link like 'http://malicious-login.com/verify', the proxy records that exact request, providing direct evidence of user interaction. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize log sources based on their evidentiary value—proxy logs show the actual click, while DNS logs only show a resolution attempt and antivirus logs may miss the event entirely. A common trap is to start with DNS logs, but remember that a DNS query does not confirm a user actually visited the page. Memory tip: "Proxy proves the click; DNS just shows the look-up."
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. 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.
You are a security administrator for a company with 500 employees. The company uses a SIEM with basic correlation rules. Recently, the HR department reported that several employees received phishing emails with a link to a fake login page. The emails bypassed the spam filter. You want to detect if any employees clicked the link. You have access to web proxy logs, DNS logs, and endpoint antivirus logs. The phishing link is 'http://malicious-login.com/verify'. Which action should you take first to identify affected users?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Query the web proxy logs for HTTP requests containing the URL.
The web proxy logs record all HTTP requests made by clients, including the full URL path. Querying for 'http://malicious-login.com/verify' directly shows which employees clicked the link, because the proxy captures the exact destination and timestamp of each request. This is the most direct and reliable evidence of user interaction with the phishing link.
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.
✗
Run a vulnerability scan on all employee workstations.
Why it's wrong here
Not relevant to detecting the phishing visit.
✗
Search DNS logs for queries to 'malicious-login.com'.
Why it's wrong here
Shows domain queries but not the specific page.
✗
Search endpoint logs for any malware detections.
Why it's wrong here
Phishing pages often don't trigger antivirus.
✓
Query the web proxy logs for HTTP requests containing the URL.
Why this is correct
Web proxy logs record full URLs accessed by users.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between DNS resolution and actual HTTP request completion, tricking candidates into thinking DNS logs are sufficient to prove a user clicked a link, when in fact only web proxy logs confirm the full URL was requested.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows domain queries but not the specific page.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Web proxy logs typically contain the full HTTP request line, including method (GET/POST), URI, and response status code. By filtering for the exact URL path '/verify', you can confirm a successful HTTP 200 response, which indicates the page was loaded. DNS logs, in contrast, only show the resolution of 'malicious-login.com' to an IP address, which can happen from browser prefetching, email client link previews, or even automated security scanners, leading to false positives.
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.
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Query the web proxy logs for HTTP requests containing the URL. — The web proxy logs record all HTTP requests made by clients, including the full URL path. Querying for 'http://malicious-login.com/verify' directly shows which employees clicked the link, because the proxy captures the exact destination and timestamp of each request. This is the most direct and reliable evidence of user interaction with the phishing link.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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