Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
An EDR alert flags suspicious PowerShell on a finance workstation. Windows logs show the script started immediately after a patch-management tool launched from the software distribution server. The script only queries installed software and writes results to a log file. What is the most likely conclusion?
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
The alert is likely a false positive because the activity matches approved patch-management behavior
The script behavior matches a normal inventory or patching task, and the timing with the distribution server supports legitimate administration.
B
Distractor review
The workstation is definitely compromised because PowerShell is always malicious
PowerShell is commonly abused, but legitimate administrative scripts also use it frequently in enterprise environments.
C
Distractor review
The endpoint should be immediately wiped because the script wrote to a log file
Writing to a log file is not evidence of compromise by itself, and wiping the system would be unnecessarily disruptive.
D
Distractor review
The software distribution server should be blocked from the network permanently
The distribution server appears to be the likely source of authorized activity, so permanent blocking would break routine operations.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The alert is likely a false positive because the activity matches approved patch-management behavior — The most likely conclusion is that the alert is a false positive caused by normal administrative activity. Correlating the PowerShell launch with the patch-management tool and the approved software distribution server provides strong evidence that the script is legitimate. In security operations, context matters as much as the alert itself. Analysts should confirm behavior against known management workflows before treating it as malicious and taking disruptive action. Why others are wrong: B is too absolute because many legitimate tools use PowerShell for administration. C is excessive because log-file creation is expected for inventory or reporting tasks. D would disrupt a trusted operational component without evidence of compromise. The right answer depends on correlating timing, source, and script behavior, not on assuming all PowerShell or logging activity is malicious.
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.
Discussion
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