Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
During malware containment, an analyst needs to preserve transient information from a compromised Windows workstation that is still running. Which action is MOST appropriate before shutdown or imaging?
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
Capture memory and live process information with approved response tools
Live memory and process data can disappear on shutdown, so capturing them preserves valuable forensic evidence.
B
Distractor review
Immediately unplug the workstation and carry it to the evidence room
Pulling power abruptly can lose volatile data and does not preserve the running system state.
C
Distractor review
Run a full antivirus scan to clean the machine before analysis
Cleaning first can change or destroy evidence and makes later forensic reconstruction less reliable.
D
Distractor review
Clear the event logs so the malicious activity is easier to isolate
Clearing logs destroys evidence and prevents investigators from reconstructing the timeline accurately.
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: Capture memory and live process information with approved response tools — Capturing memory and live process information is the best action because volatile evidence is lost when the system is powered down or altered. RAM can contain encryption keys, command lines, active connections, injected code, and running malware artifacts that never exist on disk. Approved live-response tools help preserve those details in a forensically useful way before shutdown or imaging occurs. Why others are wrong: Unplugging the workstation can stop the threat, but it also wipes out volatile evidence that may be crucial to analysis. Running antivirus first changes the system state and can remove artifacts the investigators need to study. Clearing logs is especially harmful because it destroys timeline evidence and may conceal attacker actions. Forensics starts with preservation, not cleanup.
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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