212-89 Malware Incidents Practice Question
You are reviewing logs from an EDR and see an indicator of 'Living off the Land' (LotL). Which tool usage would be considered an LotL attack?
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
✓
Executing encoded PowerShell scripts
Using 'PowerShell.exe' to execute base64-encoded scripts directly from memory is a quintessential LotL technique.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Running a commercial vulnerability scanner
Why it's wrong here
This is legitimate administration activity.
- ✗
Installing a custom rootkit driver
Why it's wrong here
This uses external, non-native malicious software.
- ✗
Downloading an EXE from an unknown site
Why it's wrong here
This is traditional malware delivery, not LotL.
- ✓
Executing encoded PowerShell scripts
Why this is correct
This abuses trusted native binaries to execute malicious code.
About these practice questions
This 212-89 question is part of Courseiva's 206-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 212-89 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 212-89 exam.