Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
After an endpoint cleanup, an EDR agent shows inconsistent results: a suspicious process does not appear in normal task listings, a file in System32 is hidden from user-mode tools, and some security logs stop recording events at the same time. Which malware type best matches these symptoms?
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
Rootkit, because it hides processes, files, or activity from standard system tools.
Rootkits are designed to conceal malware and attacker activity by altering how the operating system reports processes, files, or logs.
B
Distractor review
Spyware, because it secretly collects user information and browser data.
Spyware is focused on surveillance and data theft, but the hidden process and tampered visibility point more strongly to concealment mechanisms.
C
Distractor review
Worm, because it spreads quickly through network shares and email attachments.
A worm's defining trait is self-propagation, which does not explain hidden processes and suppressed visibility on one host.
D
Distractor review
Trojan, because it masquerades as legitimate software to trick the user.
A trojan may be the delivery method, but the signature symptom here is stealth and interference with system visibility, which is characteristic of a rootkit.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Rootkit, because it hides processes, files, or activity from standard system tools. — The best answer is rootkit. The clues point to a toolset that hides files, processes, or logs from normal operating-system views, which is the defining purpose of a rootkit. When user-mode tools cannot see a process and security events stop appearing consistently, the malware is likely manipulating system reporting at a deeper level to stay concealed after compromise. Why others are wrong: Spyware steals information but does not typically explain hidden processes and altered system visibility. Worms are about spreading across systems, not masking their presence. Trojans may deliver malicious code, but the primary symptom here is concealment and tampering with the host's reporting, which fits a rootkit much better.
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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