Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
EDR summary: - Parent process: taskeng.exe - Child process: powershell.exe -NoProfile -WindowStyle Hidden -EncodedCommand ... - No new executable files were created in user profile folders - Scheduled task 'UpdateSvc' launches every 5 minutes - Outbound TLS connections to 198.51.100.77 occur immediately after execution
Based on the exhibit, what is the most likely explanation for the suspicious workstation activity?
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
Ransomware campaign
Ransomware usually encrypts or locks data and often leaves obvious ransom notes or mass file changes.
B
Best answer
Fileless attack
The exhibit shows legitimate Windows tools launching hidden, encoded PowerShell from a scheduled task, with no dropped executable on disk. That pattern strongly suggests a fileless attack, where the payload runs primarily in memory and uses trusted utilities to reduce visibility. The periodic connections after execution also fit a lightweight backdoor or loader rather than a traditional malware binary.
C
Distractor review
Worm propagation
Worms are designed to self-replicate and spread across systems, usually showing lateral movement indicators.
D
Distractor review
Rootkit persistence
Rootkits focus on hiding malicious components, often at the kernel or driver level, rather than only hidden scripting.
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: Fileless attack — The task scheduler launching hidden, encoded PowerShell without creating a new executable strongly points to a fileless attack. Fileless threats commonly abuse native tools such as PowerShell, WMI, or script hosts so the payload stays in memory and avoids easy disk-based detection. The repeating scheduled task and outbound command-and-control traffic reinforce that interpretation. This is different from ransomware, worms, or rootkits because the key clue is in-memory execution using trusted system utilities. Why others are wrong: Ransomware would focus on encrypting files and disrupting access, not on hidden PowerShell execution alone. Worms are built to spread to other hosts and would usually show replication or scanning behavior. Rootkits hide malicious activity at a deeper system level, often through drivers or kernel hooks; the exhibit instead emphasizes scripted, in-memory execution and scheduled-task persistence.
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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