Question 1mediummulti select
Full question →mediummulti selectObjective-mapped
A Windows server is still running after suspected compromise. Before it is powered down, which two volatile data sources should be collected first? Select two.
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
A memory capture or RAM image from the live system.
A memory capture is one of the most important volatile data sources because it can reveal running malware, injected code, encryption keys, live network sessions, and command history not stored on disk. Once the system is powered off, this information is lost. Capturing RAM early gives investigators the best chance to reconstruct the attacker’s activity.
B
Best answer
A snapshot of active network connections and listening ports.
Active connections and listening ports are volatile and can quickly change or disappear. They help identify command-and-control communication, lateral movement, and suspicious services exposed on the host. Collecting this information before shutdown gives the forensic team immediate leads for containment and deeper analysis.
C
Distractor review
A full disk image from the powered-off server.
A disk image is valuable, but it is not a volatile source and does not need to be captured before shutdown in the same urgent way. The question asks for data that will be lost first when power is removed. Disk imaging can follow after the live-response phase.
D
Distractor review
A hardware inventory report from the asset management database.
Hardware inventory is useful for asset management, but it is not time-sensitive volatile evidence from the live system. It does not show attacker activity and will not disappear when the server powers down. The analyst should prioritize live-state artifacts first.
E
Distractor review
A screenshot of the server’s desktop wallpaper for reference.
A screenshot may document the visual state, but it is not one of the highest-value volatile artifacts for compromise analysis. It is far less useful than RAM or active connections when the system is still live. The priority should be evidence that disappears on shutdown.
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: A memory capture or RAM image from the live system. — The correct volatile sources are RAM and active network connection data. RAM can contain malware code, credentials, and active session details, while network connections show live attacker communications and listening services. Both are time-sensitive and can disappear or change immediately if the server is shut down. Capturing them first gives the forensic team the most useful live-state evidence. Why others are wrong: A disk image, hardware inventory report, or screenshot may still be useful, but none of them are the most urgent volatile sources. They do not capture the live memory state or current connections that can vanish once the server is powered off. In forensic triage, the most transient evidence comes first.
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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