Question 1hardmulti select
Full question →hardmulti selectObjective-mapped
During a workstation review, analysts find a process injecting into explorer.exe and reading keyboard and clipboard events. They also see repeated outbound HTTPS beacons to a domain registered two days ago. The host is not renaming files or displaying a ransom note. Which two findings are most consistent with spyware? 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
A process injects into explorer.exe and monitors keyboard and clipboard activity.
Process injection into a user shell process combined with keyboard and clipboard monitoring is highly consistent with spyware. Those behaviors are designed to silently capture sensitive information such as credentials, messages, and copied data while blending into normal desktop activity. That stealthy information-gathering focus is a hallmark of spyware.
B
Best answer
The host sends repeated HTTPS beacons to a domain registered two days ago.
Regular beacons to a newly registered domain suggest command-and-control or data exfiltration infrastructure. Spyware commonly phones home on a schedule to send harvested data or receive instructions. The short domain age does not prove malice by itself, but in context it is a strong compromise indicator.
C
Distractor review
User files are renamed with a new extension and a ransom note appears.
Renamed files and ransom notes are classic signs of ransomware, not spyware. Ransomware focuses on extortion through encryption or disruption, while spyware focuses on covert collection of data. This behavior points to a different malware family and does not match the scenario described.
D
Distractor review
CPU usage spikes only during a scheduled operating system update.
Temporary CPU usage during a scheduled update is normal and does not imply malware. Without further evidence such as suspicious processes, odd network destinations, or unauthorized persistence, this is not a useful spyware indicator. It is more likely to be ordinary maintenance activity.
E
Distractor review
The browser certificate store was refreshed after applying a patch.
Refreshing the certificate store after a patch is a normal administrative event. It does not indicate keylogging, exfiltration, or covert monitoring. While certificate manipulation can be malicious in some attacks, this specific detail is routine and not aligned with the spyware behaviors in the scenario.
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: A process injects into explorer.exe and monitors keyboard and clipboard activity. — Spyware is designed to quietly collect information rather than encrypt files or disrupt systems. The two strongest indicators are the process injection that captures keyboard and clipboard activity and the repeated beaconing to a recently registered domain, which suggests exfiltration or command-and-control traffic. Together, those artifacts show stealthy data theft behavior instead of overt destruction. Why others are wrong: Ransom notes, routine update spikes, and certificate-store refreshes do not match spyware. Those clues are either associated with a different malware family or are normal administrative behavior. The important distinction is the data-theft pattern: stealthy process injection plus repeated outbound communication to suspicious infrastructure.
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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