Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
After installing a free PDF-to-Word utility from an unofficial website, a user's laptop starts sending data to an unknown server and the security agent is disabled. Which malware type best fits?
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
Rootkit
A rootkit focuses on hiding malicious activity at a low level, rather than describing the initial fake software delivery.
B
Best answer
Trojan
A trojan disguises itself as useful software while secretly installing malicious behavior.
C
Distractor review
Worm
A worm primarily self-replicates across systems, which is not the main clue in this scenario.
D
Distractor review
Spyware
Spyware secretly collects information, but the disguised installer and security tampering point more strongly to a trojan.
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: Trojan — The best answer is trojan because the user installed software that appeared legitimate but came from an untrusted source and then performed malicious actions. Trojans commonly arrive disguised as helpful tools, games, or utilities. They may download other payloads, disable security controls, or create backdoors. The key clue is the deceptive installer, not just the behavior seen afterward. Why others are wrong: A worm spreads on its own between systems, which is not indicated here. Spyware is focused on secretly observing or stealing data, but the main clue is the fake utility that delivered the malicious payload. Rootkits hide deeply in the system, yet this scenario starts with a deceptive installer rather than low-level concealment.
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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