- A
Install endpoint protection updates on the laptop right away.
Why wrong: Updating software changes the system state and can destroy useful evidence from the active incident.
- B
Capture volatile evidence such as running processes and memory contents.
This is the best action because volatile data can disappear when the system is powered off or rebooted. Running processes, network connections, logged-on users, and memory contents may contain the strongest clues about active malware and attacker activity. Preserving this information first supports later investigation and helps responders understand what happened before they take more disruptive containment steps.
- C
Delete suspicious files so the malware can no longer spread.
Why wrong: Deleting files can destroy evidence and may not remove all persistence mechanisms.
- D
Reboot the laptop immediately to clear the suspected malware.
Why wrong: Rebooting can erase volatile evidence and may also trigger the malware to clean up.
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 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?
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
Capture volatile evidence such as running processes and memory contents.
Option B is correct because volatile evidence, such as running processes, network connections, and memory contents, is lost when the system is powered off. Capturing this data first preserves critical forensic artifacts that can reveal the malware's behavior, persistence mechanisms, and indicators of compromise (IOCs). In a live incident, the responder must follow the order of volatility (RFC 3227) to collect the most ephemeral data before it disappears.
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.
- ✗
Install endpoint protection updates on the laptop right away.
Why it's wrong here
Updating software changes the system state and can destroy useful evidence from the active incident.
- ✓
Capture volatile evidence such as running processes and memory contents.
Why this is correct
This is the best action because volatile data can disappear when the system is powered off or rebooted. Running processes, network connections, logged-on users, and memory contents may contain the strongest clues about active malware and attacker activity. Preserving this information first supports later investigation and helps responders understand what happened before they take more disruptive containment steps.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Delete suspicious files so the malware can no longer spread.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting files can destroy evidence and may not remove all persistence mechanisms.
- ✗
Reboot the laptop immediately to clear the suspected malware.
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting can erase volatile evidence and may also trigger the malware to clean up.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates mistakenly think immediate containment (e.g., deleting files or rebooting) is the priority, but the SY0-701 exam emphasizes preserving volatile evidence first to support forensic analysis and legal proceedings.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, volatile memory contains data structures like the Windows Process Environment Block (PEB), kernel objects, and network socket tables that can reveal hidden processes, injected DLLs, and active C2 connections. Tools like FTK Imager or WinPmem can capture a memory dump for analysis with Volatility or Rekall. In a real-world scenario, a ransomware incident responder would first capture memory to identify encryption keys or process hollowing before pulling the plug.
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.
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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: Capture volatile evidence such as running processes and memory contents. — Option B is correct because volatile evidence, such as running processes, network connections, and memory contents, is lost when the system is powered off. Capturing this data first preserves critical forensic artifacts that can reveal the malware's behavior, persistence mechanisms, and indicators of compromise (IOCs). In a live incident, the responder must follow the order of volatility (RFC 3227) to collect the most ephemeral data before it disappears.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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.
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