Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A user's laptop suddenly shows encrypted .docx files, a ransom note, and the EDR console reports mass file renames and shadow copy deletion. The device is still online and connected to the corporate VPN. What is the best immediate action?
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
Reboot the laptop into safe mode and attempt manual malware removal.
This may destroy useful volatile evidence and does not stop active spread quickly enough.
B
Best answer
Quarantine the endpoint from the network through EDR or physical isolation.
Isolating the system immediately contains the ransomware, limits lateral spread, and preserves the device for later investigation. Because the host is still connected to the VPN, it could continue encrypting mapped drives or reach other systems. Containment comes before eradication or recovery, especially when destructive behavior is still active.
C
Distractor review
Restore the affected files from backup before taking any other action.
Recovery is important, but restoring too early can overwrite evidence and may fail if the threat is still active.
D
Distractor review
Tell the user to change their password and continue working from the same laptop.
Password changes alone do not stop encryption activity or protect other connected systems from the ongoing compromise.
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: Quarantine the endpoint from the network through EDR or physical isolation. — The best immediate step is to quarantine the endpoint from the network. The symptoms indicate active ransomware behavior, including file encryption and shadow copy deletion, which can spread quickly to shared resources or other systems if the device remains connected. Isolation stops further damage while preserving the host for forensic review. After containment, the team can determine scope, collect evidence, and restore from clean backups if available. Why others are wrong: Manual cleanup and rebooting may interrupt evidence collection and still leave the attacker active elsewhere. Restoring files from backup is a recovery step, not the first containment action. Changing the user password does not stop encryption or prevent damage already in progress, and it does not address possible compromise of stored credentials or network access.
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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