Question 1hardmulti select
Full question →hardmulti selectObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Endpoint findings: - Local root certificate store was modified - Browser trusts a new enterprise-looking root CA - TLS warnings no longer appear for the internal portal - The user has local administrator rights
A developer installed an unknown root CA on a laptop. The browser now accepts a proxy certificate for intranet.apps.example without warnings. Which two controls most directly reduce the chance that this endpoint trusts a malicious interception certificate? Select two.
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
Best answer
Enforce certificate pinning in the application for the expected server certificate.
Certificate pinning reduces the chance that a malicious trusted root on the endpoint can impersonate the server. The app checks for a known certificate or public key, not just any certificate signed by a trusted CA.
B
Distractor review
Allow employees to add any root CA as long as the certificate is password-protected.
Password protection does not make an untrusted root safe. If the endpoint trusts a malicious CA, the browser can still accept forged certificates, which defeats the purpose of certificate validation.
C
Best answer
Prevent local administrators from modifying the trusted root store through endpoint policy.
Locking down the trusted root store limits the attacker’s ability to add a rogue CA. If users cannot alter trust anchors freely, it becomes much harder to silently intercept TLS traffic on that device.
D
Distractor review
Rely on HTTPS alone because any certificate over TLS is safe.
HTTPS only helps when certificate validation is trustworthy. If the endpoint trusts a malicious root, HTTPS can be used by the attacker just as easily as by the legitimate server.
E
Distractor review
Disable DNS because certificate trust does not depend on hostnames.
Certificate validation does depend on hostnames and trust chains. Disabling DNS does not solve local trust-store tampering, and it would likely break normal application connectivity.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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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.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enforce certificate pinning in the application for the expected server certificate. — The best protections are to pin the expected certificate or public key in the application and to stop unauthorized changes to the endpoint trust store. Pinning protects the app even if the local machine has a rogue root certificate. Restricting trust-store changes prevents the user or attacker from silently adding a CA that can mint convincing fake certificates for interception. Why others are wrong: Password protection on a certificate does not make it trustworthy, and HTTPS is only secure when validation is intact. DNS changes do not address the compromised root store. The real problem is that the endpoint now trusts a malicious certificate authority, so controls must target trust anchors and certificate verification.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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