Question 728 of 1,152

Security Operations →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct first step is to check the server’s running processes for unknown executables. When a server has unexpected outbound traffic, especially from a system that normally only communicates internally, this spike strongly indicates a malicious process—such as a reverse shell or data exfiltration tool—has been launched. Examining running processes allows you to directly spot suspicious executables or unusual command-line arguments, giving you immediate evidence of compromise before taking more disruptive actions like blocking traffic or running a full scan. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of incident response prioritization: the common trap is to jump to network-level controls like firewall changes, but the first action must be host-based analysis to confirm the threat. Remember the mnemonic “Processes Before Packets”—always inspect what’s running on the server before altering the network.

SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question

This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.

A security analyst notices a sudden increase in outbound traffic from a database server that normally only communicates with internal application servers. The server is running a standard OS with no recent changes. Which of the following actions should the analyst take FIRST to determine if the server is compromised?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
Run a full antivirus scan on the server.
Why wrong: Antivirus scans rely on signature databases and may miss custom or zero-day malware, and they can be time-consuming, delaying a timely response. This is not the best first step.
B
Check the server's running processes for unknown executables.
Reviewing running processes is a fast, direct way to identify suspicious programs that might be generating the unusual traffic. Unfamiliar processes are a classic indicator of compromise.
C
Block all outbound traffic from the server at the firewall.
Why wrong: Blocking traffic may contain the threat but also destroys evidence of the communication pattern and could alert an attacker prematurely. Investigation should precede containment.
D
Review the server's event logs for failed login attempts.
Why wrong: While event logs can show unauthorized access attempts, they do not directly address the current anomalous outbound traffic. This is a secondary analysis step, not the first action.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Check the server's running processes for unknown executables.

Checking the server's running processes for unknown executables is the first and most direct step to identify if an attacker has established a foothold. A sudden outbound traffic spike without recent configuration changes strongly suggests a malicious process (e.g., a reverse shell or data exfiltration tool) is running. Examining running processes allows the analyst to spot suspicious executables or command-line arguments before taking more disruptive actions like blocking traffic or running a scan.

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.

✗
Run a full antivirus scan on the server.
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus scans rely on signature databases and may miss custom or zero-day malware, and they can be time-consuming, delaying a timely response. This is not the best first step.
✓
Check the server's running processes for unknown executables.
Why this is correct
Reviewing running processes is a fast, direct way to identify suspicious programs that might be generating the unusual traffic. Unfamiliar processes are a classic indicator of compromise.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Block all outbound traffic from the server at the firewall.
Why it's wrong here
Blocking traffic may contain the threat but also destroys evidence of the communication pattern and could alert an attacker prematurely. Investigation should precede containment.
✗
Review the server's event logs for failed login attempts.
Why it's wrong here
While event logs can show unauthorized access attempts, they do not directly address the current anomalous outbound traffic. This is a secondary analysis step, not the first action.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often jump to blocking traffic (Option C) as a quick fix, but the FIRST action must be to gather evidence by inspecting running processes, as blocking prematurely destroys forensic data and violates the principle of 'do no harm' during incident response.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
While event logs can show unauthorized access attempts, they do not directly address the current anomalous outbound traffic. This is a secondary analysis step, not the first action.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

On a standard OS like Windows Server or Linux, the 'tasklist' or 'ps aux' commands can reveal processes with unusual names, high CPU/memory usage, or network connections to external IPs. Attackers often name processes to blend in (e.g., 'svchost.exe' or 'crond'), so checking the full command line and parent process ID (PPID) is critical. In a real-world scenario, a reverse shell might use a non-standard protocol like DNS tunneling over UDP port 53, which would not be caught by a simple port-based firewall rule but would appear as a suspicious process.

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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.

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.

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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: Check the server's running processes for unknown executables. — Checking the server's running processes for unknown executables is the first and most direct step to identify if an attacker has established a foothold. A sudden outbound traffic spike without recent configuration changes strongly suggests a malicious process (e.g., a reverse shell or data exfiltration tool) is running. Examining running processes allows the analyst to spot suspicious executables or command-line arguments before taking more disruptive actions like blocking traffic or running a scan.

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.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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