Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
An NDR tool shows a production web server sending small, periodic DNS queries to random-looking subdomains under a domain the company does not use. The pattern repeats every 60 seconds, even when normal web traffic is idle. What is the best interpretation and next step?
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
This is normal DNS behavior, so no action is needed unless users report an outage.
The repeated, structured pattern and random-looking subdomains are not typical of normal business DNS activity. Ignoring it could allow continued compromise.
B
Best answer
Suspect DNS-based command-and-control, then isolate the server and collect logs and packet data for analysis.
Regular outbound DNS queries to random subdomains can indicate tunneling or command-and-control traffic. The fact that it repeats at a fixed interval strengthens that suspicion. The best next step is to contain the host so the activity cannot continue, while preserving logs and packet captures for investigation. This lets the team determine whether malware, a rogue process, or a misconfiguration is responsible without losing evidence.
C
Distractor review
Rotate the DNS server’s administrator password and leave the web server online.
Changing a DNS admin password does not address suspicious outbound traffic from the web server itself. The issue is likely on the endpoint or network path.
D
Distractor review
Assume the web server is performing routine certificate renewal checks and ignore the alert.
Certificate renewal traffic does not usually produce random-looking subdomains at a fixed interval to an unknown domain. That explanation does not fit the pattern well.
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.
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Question 2
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Question 3
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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
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Question 6
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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: Suspect DNS-based command-and-control, then isolate the server and collect logs and packet data for analysis. — The repeated DNS requests to random-looking subdomains are a classic sign of suspicious DNS activity, often used for command-and-control or tunneling. Because the traffic is periodic and to an unfamiliar domain, the safest interpretation is potential compromise. The correct next step is to isolate the server and preserve logs and packet data so investigators can analyze the behavior without allowing it to continue. That response balances containment and evidence collection. Why others are wrong: The pattern is not typical normal DNS use, so ignoring it is risky. Rotating a DNS administrator password does not stop suspicious traffic originating from the web server. Certificate renewal is a weak fit because that activity normally targets known endpoints and does not look like randomized subdomain queries.
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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