Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst in the SOC is investigating a potential DNS tunneling incident. The analyst has identified a workstation that is making thousands of DNS queries to an external domain with base64-encoded subdomains. The analyst suspects that sensitive files from the workstation are being exfiltrated by encoding their contents into the subdomains of the DNS queries. Which of the following log sources will provide the most definitive evidence to confirm that the contents of a specific sensitive file are being transmitted in the DNS queries?
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
The DNS server logs showing the queried domains and subdomains.
DNS server logs may record the queried domain and sometimes the subdomain, but they often truncate long subdomains or omit them entirely, making them unreliable for extracting the full encoded payload.
B
Distractor review
The workstation's process creation logs showing which process initiated the DNS queries.
Process creation logs indicate the executable that generated the DNS queries, but they do not contain the actual data transmitted in the queries, so they cannot confirm the contents of the exfiltrated file.
C
Best answer
A full packet capture of the network traffic from the workstation showing the complete DNS messages.
A full packet capture includes the entire DNS query packet, including the complete subdomain portion. The analyst can extract and decode the base64-encoded subdomain data and compare it directly to the contents of a sensitive file on the workstation to definitively confirm data exfiltration.
D
Distractor review
The firewall logs showing outbound connections from the workstation to the external DNS server on port 53.
Firewall logs only show connection metadata such as source/destination IP addresses and ports. They do not contain the actual DNS query content, so they cannot reveal what data is being transmitted.
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: A full packet capture of the network traffic from the workstation showing the complete DNS messages. — DNS tunneling exfiltrates data by encoding it into the subdomain portion of DNS queries. To confirm that the data from a specific file is being sent, the analyst needs to inspect the full content of the DNS query packet. A full packet capture of the network traffic includes the entire DNS message, including the complete subdomain string, which can be decoded and compared directly to the contents of the suspected file on the workstation. DNS server logs often truncate long subdomain names or may not log them at all, making them less reliable. Process creation logs show which program made the queries but not the transmitted data. Firewall logs only show connection metadata and cannot reveal the payload of the DNS queries.
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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