A systems administrator downloads a patch and a SHA-256 checksum file from the vendor. The administrator hashes the patch locally and the values match. What does the matching hash primarily confirm?
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.
Best answer
The file has not been altered since the vendor published the checksum.
A matching hash strongly indicates the file's contents stayed unchanged from the vendor's published version.
Distractor review
The file remains confidential during transmission.
A hash does not hide data, so it provides no confidentiality for the downloaded patch.
Distractor review
The vendor's private key was used to encrypt the patch.
Hash verification does not require encryption or prove which key was used.
Distractor review
The patch will definitely install successfully on every system.
Integrity checking does not guarantee compatibility, stability, or successful installation.
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: The file has not been altered since the vendor published the checksum. — A matching checksum primarily confirms integrity. The administrator recalculates the hash locally and compares it to the vendor's published value, looking for any difference that would indicate corruption or tampering. This is a common software verification step because even a small file change produces a completely different hash value. It does not encrypt the patch or validate operational compatibility. Why others are wrong: Hashing does not provide confidentiality, so the patch contents remain visible. It also does not involve encryption keys, so it cannot prove the vendor used a private key. Finally, a valid checksum only says the bytes match; it does not mean the software will run correctly on every environment or that the system meets prerequisite conditions.
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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