- A
Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS)
HIDS monitors the host's internals like system calls, logs, and file changes for signs of intrusion or malware.
- B
Network-based Intrusion Detection System (NIDS)
Why wrong: NIDS monitors network traffic in real-time, not host-level activities.
- C
Firewall
Why wrong: Firewalls filter traffic based on rules; they do not monitor system calls or file integrity.
- D
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Why wrong: VPNs provide encrypted tunnels, not endpoint malware detection.
Question 389 of 520
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.
An IT security analyst is implementing a solution to detect malware on endpoints by monitoring system calls and file integrity. Which of the following types of controls is being deployed?
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
✓
Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS)
A Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS) monitors system calls, file integrity, and operating system logs directly on the endpoint. This matches the scenario because the analyst is deploying a solution that detects malware by observing low-level system behavior and verifying file integrity, which are core HIDS functions.
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.
- ✓
Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS)
Why this is correct
HIDS monitors the host's internals like system calls, logs, and file changes for signs of intrusion or malware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Network-based Intrusion Detection System (NIDS)
Why it's wrong here
NIDS monitors network traffic in real-time, not host-level activities.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking for a control that detects malware by analyzing network traffic patterns or signatures, such as 'An analyst wants to detect malware spreading across the network by inspecting packet payloads.'
- ✗
Firewall
Why it's wrong here
Firewalls filter traffic based on rules; they do not monitor system calls or file integrity.
When this WOULD be correct
A firewall would be the correct answer if the question asked about a control that filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on an organization's security policy, such as blocking unauthorized access to a network.
- ✗
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Why it's wrong here
VPNs provide encrypted tunnels, not endpoint malware detection.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking for a technology that provides secure remote access to an internal network by encrypting traffic between a remote user and the corporate network would have VPN as the correct answer.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS)Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
HIDS monitors the host's internals like system calls, logs, and file changes for signs of intrusion or malware.
✗Network-based Intrusion Detection System (NIDS)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The question specifies monitoring system calls and file integrity on endpoints, which is host-level activity. NIDS monitors network traffic, not endpoint system calls or file integrity.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking for a control that detects malware by analyzing network traffic patterns or signatures, such as 'An analyst wants to detect malware spreading across the network by inspecting packet payloads.'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse host-based and network-based intrusion detection, assuming both detect malware, but NIDS focuses on network traffic rather than endpoint system calls and file integrity.
✗FirewallWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A firewall controls network traffic based on rules, but it does not monitor system calls or file integrity on endpoints, which are the specific actions described in the question.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A firewall would be the correct answer if the question asked about a control that filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on an organization's security policy, such as blocking unauthorized access to a network.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a firewall can detect malware by blocking malicious traffic, but it lacks the endpoint-level monitoring of system calls and file integrity that HIDS provides.
✗Virtual Private Network (VPN)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A VPN is used to create secure, encrypted connections over a network, not to monitor system calls or file integrity on endpoints for malware detection.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking for a technology that provides secure remote access to an internal network by encrypting traffic between a remote user and the corporate network would have VPN as the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse VPN with security monitoring tools because both are used in security contexts, but VPN focuses on confidentiality and access control, not detection.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse HIDS with NIDS, thinking any 'intrusion detection' must be network-based, but the question's focus on system calls and file integrity clearly points to host-level monitoring.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HIDS tools like OSSEC or Wazuh use kernel-level hooks (e.g., Linux auditd or Windows ETW) to capture system calls and compare file hashes against a known-good baseline. In a real-world scenario, a HIDS can detect a ransomware attack by noticing unexpected file modifications (e.g., mass .encrypted file creations) and anomalous process behavior (e.g., cmd.exe spawning wscript.exe).
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS) — A Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS) monitors system calls, file integrity, and operating system logs directly on the endpoint. This matches the scenario because the analyst is deploying a solution that detects malware by observing low-level system behavior and verifying file integrity, which are core HIDS functions.
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.
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
This N10-009 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 N10-009 exam.
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