Question 175 of 144
SK0-005 security-disaster-recovery Practice Question
During a security incident, a server is suspected to be compromised by malware. The incident response team needs to preserve evidence and minimize impact. Which TWO actions should be taken FIRST? (Select TWO.)
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
✓
Disconnect the server from the network.
Options B and C are correct. Disconnecting the server from the network (B) is an immediate containment step to prevent data exfiltration or spread. Capturing a forensic image of system memory (C) preserves volatile data such as running processes, network connections, and encryption keys before they are lost. Option A is wrong because powering off loses all volatile evidence. Option D is wrong because running an AV scan modifies files and could destroy forensic artifacts. Option E is wrong because rebooting erases memory and may trigger malware countermeasures.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Disconnect the server from the network.
Why this is correct
Isolating the server from the network stops the attacker's remote access and prevents malware propagation while preserving the system state for investigation.
- ✗
Run an antivirus scan.
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus scans quarantine or delete files, altering the disk state and potentially destroying forensic evidence needed to understand the attack.
- ✗
Reboot the server in safe mode.
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting, even in safe mode, clears memory and may activate malware that has installed boot-time persistence, hindering investigation.
- ✗
Power off the server immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Shutting down the system results in the loss of all volatile data (memory, network state), which is often crucial for forensic analysis.
- ✓
Make a forensic image of the system memory.
Why this is correct
Capturing RAM before any other actions preserves active malware, user sessions, and other ephemeral data, which is a critical step in evidence collection.
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Last reviewed: Jul 26, 2026
This SK0-005 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 SK0-005 exam.
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