312-39 Incident Response Practice Question
You are remediating a compromised web server. After identifying the web shell, what is the next step to prevent further access?
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 file and rotate credentials
After identifying the web shell, removing the file and resetting the web application credentials is the critical next step.
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 file and rotate credentials
Why this is correct
This removes the access point and invalidates any credentials stolen.
- ✗
Flush DNS
Why it's wrong here
DNS flushing is irrelevant to web shell persistence.
- ✗
Restart the web service
Why it's wrong here
The shell will still exist after a restart.
- ✗
Update the OS
Why it's wrong here
OS updates do not remove the web shell file.
About these practice questions
This 312-39 question is part of Courseiva's 202-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official EC-Council exam blueprint
This 312-39 practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 312-39 exam.