CAS-004 Security Operations Practice Question
A security analyst is reviewing a suspicious email reported by a user. The email contains an attachment named 'invoice.pdf.exe'. Which type of malware analysis technique should the analyst perform first to determine if the file is malicious?
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
✓
Static analysis
Static analysis (e.g., checking file extensions, strings, and hashes) is non-executing and safe to perform first to gather initial indicators.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reverse engineering
Why it's wrong here
Reverse engineering is more in-depth and typically done after dynamic analysis.
- ✓
Static analysis
Why this is correct
Static analysis is quick and safe to identify malicious characteristics without execution.
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Dynamic analysis in a sandbox
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic analysis executes the file, which should be done after static analysis.
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Memory forensics
Why it's wrong here
Memory forensics is used after execution to analyze impact.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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