Question 1hardmulti select
Full question →hardmulti selectObjective-mapped
An EDR alert shows a finance workstation launching rundll32 from %AppData%, creating a scheduled task, and making repeated HTTPS beacons to a rare domain. The user still has open accounting files, and the SOC wants to slow spread without losing evidence. What two actions should be taken 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
Isolate the workstation from the network using EDR or NAC containment.
Isolating the host immediately stops most outbound command-and-control traffic and reduces the chance of lateral spread. It is the best first containment step when malware is still active. It preserves the system state better than power loss, which can destroy volatile evidence.
B
Distractor review
Immediately wipe and reimage the workstation before collecting anything else.
Reimaging removes the malware, but it also destroys important evidence and loses visibility into how the compromise occurred. That is a recovery step after containment and acquisition, not the first action when the endpoint is still active.
C
Best answer
Capture volatile evidence such as memory contents, running processes, and active network connections.
Collecting volatile data while the machine is live preserves clues about injected code, memory-only malware, sockets, and active sessions. This supports later investigation and root-cause analysis. It is appropriate before shutdown when the organization wants to preserve evidence.
D
Distractor review
Power the workstation off immediately to stop the malware process.
Powering off may stop execution, but it also destroys volatile evidence and can interfere with understanding the infection. It is sometimes justified for safety, but it is not the best first choice when the host is still available for live response.
E
Distractor review
Disable every user account in the finance department to prevent further compromise.
A broad account shutdown would be disruptive and is not targeted to the likely infected host. Containment should start with the affected system and any confirmed compromised identities, rather than creating unnecessary business impact.
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: Isolate the workstation from the network using EDR or NAC containment. — The best first actions are to isolate the workstation and capture volatile evidence. Isolation limits further beaconing and potential lateral movement while the incident is still active. Memory and process data are valuable because this behavior could involve injected code, scheduled persistence, or credential theft. Together, these steps balance immediate containment with preserving the information needed for investigation and remediation. Why others are wrong: Reimaging, powering off, or disabling many accounts are either too destructive or too broad for the first response. Reimaging and shutdown can erase volatile evidence, while mass account disabling creates unnecessary disruption without proving those accounts are involved. The priority is to stop the suspected malware from communicating and preserve what it is doing right now.
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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