mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped

A SOC analyst reviews DNS telemetry and sees a workstation resolving hundreds of algorithmically generated domains at fixed intervals, with most responses returning NXDOMAIN. What evidence should the analyst prioritize to validate command-and-control beaconing? In the evidence source phase, Which evidence source best supports or refutes the detection?

Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →

A SOC analyst reviews DNS telemetry and sees a workstation resolving hundreds of algorithmically generated domains at fixed intervals, with most responses returning NXDOMAIN. What evidence should the analyst prioritize to validate command-and-control beaconing? In the evidence source phase, Which evidence source best supports or refutes the detection?

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.

A

Distractor review

Search only for successful HTTP 200 responses

DGA activity may fail resolution frequently, so HTTP status codes alone miss the behaviour.

B

Distractor review

Delete the host from the SIEM asset inventory

Removing context makes investigation harder and does not contain the threat.

C

Distractor review

Block all DNS traffic from the subnet

Immediate blanket blocking may disrupt operations and does not validate the source process.

D

Best answer

Correlate DNS query logs with endpoint process and network connection telemetry

The pattern is suspicious, but process and connection context shows whether a host process is repeatedly attempting outbound C2 communication.

Common exam trap

Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses

Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.

Technical deep dive

How to think about this question

Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.

KKey Concepts to Remember

  • CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
  • Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
  • Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
  • The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.

TExam Day Tips

  • Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
  • Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
  • Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.

Related practice questions

Related CS0-003 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

More questions from this exam

Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this CS0-003 question test?

CIDR notation defines the prefix length.

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Correlate DNS query logs with endpoint process and network connection telemetry — The pattern is suspicious, but process and connection context shows whether a host process is repeatedly attempting outbound C2 communication. This keeps the analysis focused on evidence source rather than broad, low-value actions.

What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?

Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.

Discussion

Loading comments…

Sign in to join the discussion.