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SSCP A company detects ransomware on a file server Practice Question
A company detects ransomware on a file server. The ransomware is currently encrypting files. Which containment strategy should be implemented FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to choose to run antivirus first, thinking removal stops the attack, but the SSCP exam emphasizes that containment (stopping the spread) must precede eradication (removing the malware).
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
The immediate priority in ransomware containment is to isolate the compromised server from the network to prevent the encryption process from spreading to other systems. Disconnecting the network cable or disabling the network interface stops the ransomware from communicating with command-and-control servers and blocks lateral movement via SMB or other protocols. This containment step must occur before any remediation like antivirus scans or file restoration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Run antivirus to remove the ransomware
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus scanning is slow and cannot halt active encryption, so files continue being encrypted during the scan. Immediate network isolation of the server stops the spread first. Antivirus is tempting because it removes malware, and it is appropriate during later eradication once containment has stopped the encryption.
- ✗
Notify all users to change passwords
Why it's wrong here
Password changes do not stop ransomware already encrypting files on the server, so encryption continues unabated. Isolating the server from the network halts propagation immediately. Password rotation is tempting because credential compromise often enables ransomware, and it is appropriate during later remediation, not as the first containment step.
- ✓
Disconnect the server from the network
Why this is correct
Severing the network link halts the ransomware's propagation and command-and-control traffic immediately, satisfying the need to stop active encryption before eradication. Isolating the host preserves volatile evidence and prevents lateral spread, whereas powering off may destroy memory artefacts and leave shares reachable.
- ✗
Restore files from backup
Why it's wrong here
Restoring from backup before containing the ransomware lets it re-encrypt the restored files, since the infection remains active. Network isolation must come first. Restoration is tempting because it recovers data, and it is the correct step during recovery, after containment and eradication are complete.
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About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every SSCP question from scratch — 971 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 SSCP exam.