- A
Remove the malicious extension and delete the persistence mechanism.
Correct because eradication requires eliminating the malware components that let the attacker survive reboots or user logoff. Removing the extension and scheduled task directly breaks persistence.
- B
Reimage the host from a trusted gold image after evidence collection.
Correct because reimaging is a valid way to eradicate deeply embedded malware and return the endpoint to a known-good state. It is especially useful when the extent of compromise is uncertain.
- C
Restore user files from the most recent backup and reconnect the host immediately.
Why wrong: Incorrect because restoring files is part of recovery, but reconnecting immediately is premature. The host still needs validation and cleanup before rejoining production.
- D
Announce the incident to users without changing the host configuration.
Why wrong: Incorrect because awareness alone does not remove the threat. The endpoint remains infected until the malicious code or persistence is removed.
- E
Leave the browser extension in place and only change the user password.
Why wrong: Incorrect because password changes do not remove malware from the endpoint. The malicious extension and scheduled task would still be able to reinfect or continue abuse.
Quick Answer
The answer is to reimage the host from a trusted gold image after evidence collection, and to remove the malicious browser extension and delete the scheduled task. These two actions are correct because the eradication phase focuses on eliminating all traces of malware from the system, including persistence mechanisms like scheduled tasks and active threat vectors like browser extensions, before recovery begins. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this question tests your understanding of the incident response process, specifically distinguishing eradication from remediation or recovery—a common trap is confusing deletion of artifacts with full system reimaging. Remember that eradication aims to ensure no footholds remain, so you must both remove the specific persistence items and, when possible, restore the system to a known-good state. A useful memory tip: “Eradicate every trace, then replace the base.”
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
After isolating an infected endpoint and collecting volatile memory, the team identifies a malicious browser extension and a scheduled task used for persistence. Which two actions belong in the eradication phase before returning the system to service? Select two.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Remove the malicious extension and delete the persistence mechanism.
Option A is correct because removing the malicious browser extension and deleting the scheduled task directly eliminates the identified persistence mechanism and the active threat vector. In the eradication phase, the goal is to remove all traces of the malware from the system, which includes disabling or deleting scheduled tasks and uninstalling malicious extensions. This ensures the attacker cannot regain access through these specific footholds before the system is returned to service.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Remove the malicious extension and delete the persistence mechanism.
Why this is correct
Correct because eradication requires eliminating the malware components that let the attacker survive reboots or user logoff. Removing the extension and scheduled task directly breaks persistence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Reimage the host from a trusted gold image after evidence collection.
Why this is correct
Correct because reimaging is a valid way to eradicate deeply embedded malware and return the endpoint to a known-good state. It is especially useful when the extent of compromise is uncertain.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Restore user files from the most recent backup and reconnect the host immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because restoring files is part of recovery, but reconnecting immediately is premature. The host still needs validation and cleanup before rejoining production.
- ✗
Announce the incident to users without changing the host configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because awareness alone does not remove the threat. The endpoint remains infected until the malicious code or persistence is removed.
- ✗
Leave the browser extension in place and only change the user password.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because password changes do not remove malware from the endpoint. The malicious extension and scheduled task would still be able to reinfect or continue abuse.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between eradication and recovery, where candidates mistakenly choose backup restoration (Option C) as an eradication step, but eradication must occur before any recovery actions like reimaging or restoring data.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Scheduled tasks on Windows are stored in the Task Scheduler service and can be enumerated via schtasks /query or PowerShell's Get-ScheduledTask. Malicious browser extensions often use the Chrome Extension API or Firefox's WebExtensions to hook into browser events, and removal requires deleting the extension folder (e.g., %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions) and clearing related registry keys. In real-world scenarios, attackers may use obfuscated task names or hide extensions via enterprise policy, requiring manual verification of the Task Scheduler XML files and extension manifest.json.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Security Operations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Security Operations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SY0-701 questions
1,152 questions across all exam domains
- →
Security+ SY0-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SY0-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SY0-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
General Security Concepts practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.
Security Architecture practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.
Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.
Security+ social engineering questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.
Security+ cryptography practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.
Security+ IAM questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.
Security+ risk management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.
Security+ incident response questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.
Security+ malware questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.
Security+ vulnerability management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.
Practice this exam
Start a free SY0-701 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Remove the malicious extension and delete the persistence mechanism. — Option A is correct because removing the malicious browser extension and deleting the scheduled task directly eliminates the identified persistence mechanism and the active threat vector. In the eradication phase, the goal is to remove all traces of the malware from the system, which includes disabling or deleting scheduled tasks and uninstalling malicious extensions. This ensures the attacker cannot regain access through these specific footholds before the system is returned to service.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This SY0-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SY0-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.