Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A software vendor distributes critical security updates for its application through a public download website. The vendor wants to allow customers to verify that each update originated from the vendor and has not been modified in transit. Which of the following cryptographic techniques should the vendor apply to the update files before posting them for download?
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
Digital signature
Correct. A digital signature uses the vendor's private key to sign the update, and customers can verify it with the vendor's public key. This provides both source authentication and integrity.
B
Distractor review
Cryptographic hash
Incorrect. A cryptographic hash (e.g., SHA-256) ensures integrity but does not provide authentication. An attacker could replace the file and the hash simultaneously, so alone it does not prove the source.
C
Distractor review
Antivirus scan report
Incorrect. An antivirus scan report only indicates whether known malware is present. It does not cryptographically verify the file's origin or integrity.
D
Distractor review
TLS certificate
Incorrect. TLS protects data in transit between the website and the downloader, but it does not provide a persistent, verifiable property for the file itself after download. A TLS certificate authenticates the server, not the individual file.
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.
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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: Digital signature — The vendor should apply a digital signature to the update file. A digital signature provides both authenticity (proving the file came from the vendor) and integrity (detecting any unauthorized modification). Customers can verify the signature using the vendor's public key. A hash alone ensures integrity but not authenticity, as anyone could compute the same hash. Antivirus scanning does not provide verification of source or integrity. TLS protects data in transit but does not provide a verifiable, persistent way for customers to independently confirm the file's origin and integrity after download.
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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