Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A finance laptop is powered on, the user is still logged in, and it remains connected to Wi-Fi after a malware alert. What should the responder do first to preserve volatile evidence?
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
Power the laptop off immediately to stop any further attacker activity.
Immediate power-off can destroy volatile data such as memory contents, active connections, and running process information that may be critical to the investigation.
B
Best answer
Collect volatile data such as memory, running processes, and active network connections.
Volatile evidence is the first thing to lose when a machine shuts down or is rebooted, so collecting it immediately is the best move. Memory, process lists, open sockets, and logged-in sessions can reveal malware injection, command-and-control activity, or stolen credentials in use. Preserving that state before containment actions or shutdown gives investigators a better picture of what happened on the system.
C
Distractor review
Run a full antimalware scan before touching any other data.
A full scan may alter the system state, consume resources, and change evidence. It is not the first step when volatile artifacts still exist and need preservation.
D
Distractor review
Disconnect the power cable and remove the battery to prevent changes.
Removing power protects against further execution, but it also destroys volatile data. That makes it a poor first step when evidence preservation is the priority.
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: Collect volatile data such as memory, running processes, and active network connections. — Collecting volatile data first is the best answer because the system is still live and contains evidence that disappears during shutdown. Memory, running processes, open network sessions, and logged-in user context often show malicious scripts, remote connections, or injected code that disk imaging will not capture. After volatile data is collected, the responder can isolate the host, document actions taken, and continue the incident response process with far less loss of evidentiary value. Why others are wrong: Powering off immediately protects against further execution, but it sacrifices the most time-sensitive evidence. Running an antimalware scan can overwrite artifacts, create logs, and change timestamps, which is undesirable during initial evidence preservation. Disconnecting power and removing the battery also wipes volatile state. In incident response, preserving live data first is usually more valuable than stopping the machine at the expense of losing forensic detail.
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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