Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst observes repeated outbound traffic from a single workstation to a known malicious IP address. The workstation's anti-malware software has reported no alerts, and the user claims to have only downloaded software from the company's approved application store. Which type of malware most likely explains this behavior?
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
Ransomware
Incorrect. Ransomware typically encrypts files and demands a ransom, often displaying a visible notification. It does not usually remain silent while performing outbound communication to a C2 server without user awareness.
B
Distractor review
Rootkit
Incorrect. A rootkit is designed to conceal its presence and maintain privileged access. While it could communicate externally, its primary goal is stealth within the system rather than generating observable outbound traffic, and it is less likely to be downloaded from an approved app store.
C
Best answer
Trojan horse
Correct. A Trojan horse masquerades as benign software, often from a seemingly trusted source. It can evade signature-based anti-malware and silently establish outbound connections to a malicious IP for command-and-control, data exfiltration, or further payload delivery.
D
Distractor review
Polymorphic malware
Incorrect. Polymorphic malware changes its code signature each time it replicates, which helps evade signature detection. However, it is not typically delivered via an approved app store, and its behavior is not uniquely characteristic of the described outbound traffic scenario.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Trojan horse — A Trojan horse is malware disguised as legitimate software. It often evades signature-based anti-malware detection by appearing harmless and can establish command-and-control communications, such as outbound traffic to a malicious IP. Ransomware typically exhibits noticeable file encryption and ransom notes. Rootkits focus on hiding their presence deep in the OS, not necessarily generating external traffic. Polymorphic malware changes its code to avoid signature detection, but the scenario with a seemingly legitimate download points directly to a Trojan horse.
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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