CAS-004 Security Operations Practice Question
An organization uses an EDR solution and wants to detect ransomware that encrypts files and then deletes volume shadow copies. Which EDR detection technique would be most effective for this behavior?
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
✓
Behavioral detection for mass file modifications and vssadmin.exe execution
Behavioral detection monitors runtime behavior like file encryption and shadow copy deletion, which are indicative of ransomware.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Signature-based detection using file hashes
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware variants change hashes frequently, so signatures are less effective.
- ✓
Behavioral detection for mass file modifications and vssadmin.exe execution
Why this is correct
Behavioral detection identifies the pattern of file modifications and shadow copy deletion.
- ✗
Allowlisting of trusted applications
Why it's wrong here
Allowlisting would prevent unknown executables but may not stop script-based ransomware.
- ✗
Network traffic analysis to detect C2 communication
Why it's wrong here
C2 detection is useful but not specific to the encryption behavior.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CAS-005 exam.