Question 238 of 750

Windows Command-Line Tools →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Using Netstat -b to Identify Suspicious Network Activity

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line tools. 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 security incident is suspected on a Windows 10 workstation. You need to list all active network connections and the associated processes to identify potential malicious activity. Which command provides this information?

Clue words in this question

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

Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.

A
netstat -a
Why wrong: This shows all connections and listening ports but does not display the associated process name.
B
netstat -b
This shows active connections and the binary (process) that created them, directly linking network activity to processes.
C
tasklist /svc
Why wrong: This lists processes and services but does not show network connections.
D
ipconfig /displaydns
Why wrong: This displays the DNS resolver cache, not active connections or processes.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is netstat -b. This command is correct because it lists all active network connections alongside the specific executable or process that initiated each connection, directly linking network activity to the responsible program. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to identify suspicious network activity by combining process and connection data, a common scenario in security incident response. A frequent trap is confusing netstat -a, which shows all connections and listening ports but omits process names, or netstat -n, which displays addresses and ports numerically without process details. To remember, think of the -b flag as “binding” the connection to its binary—the executable file. This direct link makes netstat -b the go-to tool when you need to list active network connections with processes to spot potential malware or unauthorized communications.

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

✓

netstat -b

The `netstat -b` command displays all active TCP/UDP network connections along with the executable (process) name that created each connection. This is essential for identifying which process is communicating over the network, enabling you to spot suspicious activity like malware beaconing outbound.

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.

✗
netstat -a
Why it's wrong here
This shows all connections and listening ports but does not display the associated process name.
✓
netstat -b
Why this is correct
This shows active connections and the binary (process) that created them, directly linking network activity to processes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
tasklist /svc
Why it's wrong here
This lists processes and services but does not show network connections.
✗
ipconfig /displaydns
Why it's wrong here
This displays the DNS resolver cache, not active connections or processes.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA often tests the distinction between `netstat -a` (shows connections only) and `netstat -b` (shows connections with process names), expecting candidates to remember that `-b` requires administrative privileges and is the only option that links network activity to a specific executable.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
This shows all connections and listening ports but does not display the associated process name.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Under the hood, `netstat -b` uses the Windows IP Helper API to enumerate TCP and UDP endpoints from the kernel's TCP/IP stack, then queries the process ID (PID) for each endpoint and resolves it to the executable path. In real-world incident response, this command can reveal a hidden process (e.g., `svchost.exe` running from a non-standard location) that is making outbound connections to a known malicious IP, which `netstat -a` alone would miss.

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 practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

Visual reference

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 220-1202 question test?

Windows Command-Line Tools — This question tests Windows Command-Line Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: netstat -b — The `netstat -b` command displays all active TCP/UDP network connections along with the executable (process) name that created each connection. This is essential for identifying which process is communicating over the network, enabling you to spot suspicious activity like malware beaconing outbound.

What should I do if I get this 220-1202 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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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