- A
Spyware, because hidden software is often used to collect credentials and data.
Why wrong: Spyware can hide and collect information, but the key indicator here is concealment of system processes and sockets at a low level, which points beyond ordinary surveillance malware.
- B
Rootkit, because it is designed to hide processes, drivers, or sockets from normal security tools.
Rootkit is the best answer because the core clue is stealth: the service exists, but common tools cannot attribute the socket to a process. That suggests kernel- or driver-level concealment rather than a normal user-space infection. The persistence after reboot further supports a deeply embedded implant that survives simple cleanup attempts.
- C
Ransomware, because the server remains operational while still hiding evidence.
Why wrong: Ransomware's defining behavior is encryption or extortion, usually with obvious impact on access to files or systems. Hidden sockets alone do not match that pattern.
- D
Logic bomb, because the issue persists after reboot and could trigger later.
Why wrong: A logic bomb activates when a condition is met, such as a date or event. This scenario is about stealth and concealment, not a delayed trigger mechanism.
Quick Answer
The answer is a rootkit, because it is specifically designed to hide network sockets from tools like netstat and EDR by intercepting system calls at the kernel level. When a rootkit hooks into the operating system’s socket enumeration functions, it can filter out its own listening ports and associated processes, making them invisible to standard monitoring commands while the service remains active. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of malware persistence and evasion techniques—a key trap is confusing a rootkit with a bootkit or firmware malware, but the clean firmware checks rule those out. Remember that a rootkit’s hallmark is its ability to hide its own artifacts, not just survive a reboot. A useful memory tip: “Rootkit hides the socket, netstat can’t see it.”
SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
After a suspected compromise, a server's local tools report sshd listening on port 22, but netstat and the EDR console fail to show the process that owns the socket. A reboot does not remove the issue, and firmware integrity checks pass. Which malware type is most likely installed?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Rootkit, because it is designed to hide processes, drivers, or sockets from normal security tools.
Option B is correct because a rootkit is specifically designed to hide its presence from the operating system and security tools by intercepting system calls (e.g., those used by netstat and EDR) to conceal processes, drivers, and network sockets. The persistence after reboot and clean firmware integrity checks indicate the rootkit is installed at the kernel or boot level, bypassing user-mode detection.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Spyware, because hidden software is often used to collect credentials and data.
Why it's wrong here
Spyware can hide and collect information, but the key indicator here is concealment of system processes and sockets at a low level, which points beyond ordinary surveillance malware.
- ✓
Rootkit, because it is designed to hide processes, drivers, or sockets from normal security tools.
Why this is correct
Rootkit is the best answer because the core clue is stealth: the service exists, but common tools cannot attribute the socket to a process. That suggests kernel- or driver-level concealment rather than a normal user-space infection. The persistence after reboot further supports a deeply embedded implant that survives simple cleanup attempts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Ransomware, because the server remains operational while still hiding evidence.
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware's defining behavior is encryption or extortion, usually with obvious impact on access to files or systems. Hidden sockets alone do not match that pattern.
- ✗
Logic bomb, because the issue persists after reboot and could trigger later.
Why it's wrong here
A logic bomb activates when a condition is met, such as a date or event. This scenario is about stealth and concealment, not a delayed trigger mechanism.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse persistence with logic bombs or assume that any hidden software is spyware, but the key technical indicator is the ability to hide a socket from netstat and EDR while surviving reboot, which is a hallmark of kernel-level rootkits.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
A logic bomb activates when a condition is met, such as a date or event. This scenario is about stealth and concealment, not a delayed trigger mechanism.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Rootkits often operate by hooking system call tables (e.g., sys_call_table on Linux or SSDT on Windows) to filter out their own entries from /proc, netstat, or EDR telemetry. A bootkit variant can survive reboot by infecting the Master Boot Record (MBR) or UEFI firmware, which explains why firmware integrity checks pass if the rootkit resides in a less-scrutinized area like the kernel or a driver. Real-world examples like the Sony BMG rootkit (2005) or the UEFI-based LoJax rootkit demonstrate how such malware can hide sockets and processes from standard tools.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SY0-701 questions
1,152 questions across all exam domains
- →
Security+ SY0-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SY0-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SY0-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
General Security Concepts practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.
Security Architecture practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.
Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.
Security+ social engineering questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.
Security+ cryptography practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.
Security+ IAM questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.
Security+ risk management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.
Security+ incident response questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.
Security+ malware questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.
Security+ vulnerability management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.
Practice this exam
Start a free SY0-701 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — This question tests Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Rootkit, because it is designed to hide processes, drivers, or sockets from normal security tools. — Option B is correct because a rootkit is specifically designed to hide its presence from the operating system and security tools by intercepting system calls (e.g., those used by netstat and EDR) to conceal processes, drivers, and network sockets. The persistence after reboot and clean firmware integrity checks indicate the rootkit is installed at the kernel or boot level, bypassing user-mode detection.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More SY0-701 practice questions
- An HR analyst must send a salary file to an external auditor. The auditor only needs names, departments, and salary tota…
- An investigator receives a suspect laptop drive that may be used in court. Which approach best supports a forensically s…
- An investigator must collect data from a suspected insider-threat laptop so the evidence could be used in an HR and lega…
- An NDR tool shows a production web server sending small, periodic DNS queries to random-looking subdomains under a domai…
- An investigator needs to make a forensic image of a suspect laptop without changing the original drive contents. Which t…
- An operations team manages Linux servers over SSH. The security team wants to stop direct management access from employe…
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SY0-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.