- A
The workstation is part of a botnet and is communicating with a command-and-control server
Botnets commonly use HTTPS to blend in with normal encrypted web traffic. The large data volume and lack of business need make this the most likely explanation.
- B
A legitimate software update is being downloaded
Why wrong: Software updates typically originate from the workstation contacting update servers, but the description says the workstation should not initiate outbound connections. Also, updates usually have a well-known pattern, and the data is 'sent' (upload) rather than downloaded.
- C
The workstation is acting as a VPN client connecting to a corporate VPN server
Why wrong: A VPN client would connect to an internal or known corporate server, not an arbitrary external IP, and traffic would be expected. The scenario suggests no business need, so VPN is unlikely.
- D
The workstation is hosting a web server that is being accessed externally
Why wrong: If the workstation were a web server, inbound connections would be expected, but the administrator observed outbound connections from the workstation. Also, the workstation is not supposed to serve content.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that the workstation is part of a botnet and is communicating with a command-and-control (C2) server. This is because TCP port 443 is the standard port for HTTPS traffic, and botnets increasingly use encrypted web traffic to hide their command and control communications, making them difficult to distinguish from legitimate outbound connections. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this scenario tests your ability to recognize anomalous encrypted traffic patterns—specifically, unauthorized outbound HTTPS from a workstation that should never initiate connections. A common trap is assuming all HTTPS traffic is safe, but the key clue here is the lack of business justification combined with high data volume. Remember the memory tip: “443 for C2” — if a device has no reason to browse the web but is suddenly sending encrypted data out on port 443, think botnet, not benign browsing.
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. 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.
A security administrator observes that an employee's workstation is sending large amounts of data to an external IP address on TCP port 443. The workstation is not supposed to initiate outbound connections, and there is no business need for it. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The workstation is part of a botnet and is communicating with a command-and-control server
The workstation is sending large amounts of data to an external IP on TCP port 443, which is commonly used for HTTPS traffic. Since the workstation is not authorized to initiate outbound connections and has no business need for this traffic, the most likely cause is that it has been compromised and is part of a botnet, using HTTPS to communicate with a command-and-control (C2) server to evade detection by blending in with legitimate encrypted web traffic.
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.
- ✓
The workstation is part of a botnet and is communicating with a command-and-control server
Why this is correct
Botnets commonly use HTTPS to blend in with normal encrypted web traffic. The large data volume and lack of business need make this the most likely explanation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A legitimate software update is being downloaded
Why it's wrong here
Software updates typically originate from the workstation contacting update servers, but the description says the workstation should not initiate outbound connections. Also, updates usually have a well-known pattern, and the data is 'sent' (upload) rather than downloaded.
- ✗
The workstation is acting as a VPN client connecting to a corporate VPN server
Why it's wrong here
A VPN client would connect to an internal or known corporate server, not an arbitrary external IP, and traffic would be expected. The scenario suggests no business need, so VPN is unlikely.
- ✗
The workstation is hosting a web server that is being accessed externally
Why it's wrong here
If the workstation were a web server, inbound connections would be expected, but the administrator observed outbound connections from the workstation. Also, the workstation is not supposed to serve content.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume TCP 443 always indicates legitimate HTTPS traffic, such as a software update or VPN, without considering that attackers commonly use this port to hide malicious C2 communications, especially when the workstation has no business need for outbound connections.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
A VPN client would connect to an internal or known corporate server, not an arbitrary external IP, and traffic would be expected. The scenario suggests no business need, so VPN is unlikely.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Botnets often use HTTPS (TCP 443) for C2 communication to mimic normal web traffic and bypass firewall rules that allow outbound HTTPS. The C2 server may use domain fronting or TLS encryption to further hide the malicious traffic, making it difficult for deep packet inspection (DPI) to distinguish from benign web traffic. In a real-world scenario, a compromised workstation might beacon to a C2 server with periodic HTTPS requests, then exfiltrate data or receive commands, all while appearing as normal web browsing.
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 practitioner preparing for the N10-009 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The workstation is part of a botnet and is communicating with a command-and-control server — The workstation is sending large amounts of data to an external IP on TCP port 443, which is commonly used for HTTPS traffic. Since the workstation is not authorized to initiate outbound connections and has no business need for this traffic, the most likely cause is that it has been compromised and is part of a botnet, using HTTPS to communicate with a command-and-control (C2) server to evade detection by blending in with legitimate encrypted web traffic.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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