Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A user opens an attached document, and the endpoint security tool shows PowerShell running from memory with no new executable file written to disk. What type of attack is most likely?
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
Logic bomb
A logic bomb triggers on a condition or date, but this scenario centers on how the code executes.
B
Best answer
Fileless attack
Fileless attacks use legitimate tools or memory-only execution instead of dropping a visible malicious file.
C
Distractor review
Ransomware
Ransomware encrypts files and demands payment, which is not the main symptom described here.
D
Distractor review
Rootkit
A rootkit hides itself deeply, but the clue here is memory-based execution without a new 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.
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: Fileless attack — This is a fileless attack because the malicious activity runs in memory and uses a legitimate tool such as PowerShell, rather than installing a traditional executable on disk. Fileless attacks can be harder to detect with basic file-based scanning because they leave fewer obvious artifacts. The clue is the combination of document execution, memory-based scripting, and no new binary on disk. Why others are wrong: Ransomware would typically encrypt files and display a payment demand. A rootkit hides activity at a deeper system level, but the question emphasizes memory execution. A logic bomb waits for a specific trigger, such as a date or event, and does not require the described fileless behavior.
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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