Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A user reports that a shared department drive is rapidly renaming files and creating ransom notes on a Windows file server. The SOC confirms suspicious activity is still occurring on that server. What should the incident responder do first?
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
Shut down the server immediately to stop all malicious activity.
Powering off can destroy volatile evidence and is more disruptive than necessary at this stage.
B
Best answer
Isolate the server from the network while keeping it powered on if possible.
Network isolation contains the spread while preserving memory and other volatile evidence for analysis.
C
Distractor review
Restore the drive from backup before collecting any evidence.
Restoring too early can overwrite evidence and may reintroduce the same compromise path.
D
Distractor review
Inform users to continue working until the forensic team arrives.
Allowing continued access risks wider encryption and further loss of availability across the environment.
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: Isolate the server from the network while keeping it powered on if possible. — The first response is containment, and the least disruptive effective containment is to isolate the server from the network while preserving the running state if possible. That stops lateral movement and external command activity without immediately destroying volatile evidence. In incident response, responders want to limit damage quickly, but also keep enough evidence to determine the root cause and scope of compromise. Why others are wrong: Shutting down the server is more destructive than necessary because it may erase memory-resident evidence. Restoring from backup is a recovery step, not the first containment action. Continuing normal user access would likely worsen encryption and spread the incident to additional systems.
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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