Quick Answer
The answer is macro security settings in Office, as this control directly prevents macro viruses in email attachments from executing by disabling macros or requiring digitally signed macros. Macro viruses exploit the scripting capabilities within Microsoft Office documents, so configuring these settings to block unsigned or all macros stops the malicious code from running, even if the attachment is opened. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this question tests your understanding of application-layer defenses versus broader security layers; a common trap is choosing spam filters or attachment scanning, which may fail against targeted phishing or zero-day variants. Remember that user training is a procedural control, not a technical block, while macro security settings enforce a hard stop at the application level. Memory tip: think “Macro = Microsoft Office, so Office settings are the direct block.”
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of systems and application security. 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.
An employee receives an email with an attachment claiming to be an invoice but contains a macro virus. What control would have blocked this?
User awareness training
Why wrong: Training helps but does not provide a technical block.
Email attachment scanning
Why wrong: Scanning may miss new or obfuscated malware.
Spam filter
Why wrong: Spam filter may not catch targeted emails.
Macro security settings in Office
Macro settings can disable or restrict macro execution.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Macro security settings in Office
Macro security settings in Office can disable macros or require signed macros, preventing execution. Spam filter may not detect targeted phishing. Attachment scanning may miss zero-day variants. User training reduces risk but does not technically block.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
User awareness training
Why it's wrong here
Training helps but does not provide a technical block.
Email attachment scanning
Why it's wrong here
Scanning may miss new or obfuscated malware.
Spam filter
Why it's wrong here
Spam filter may not catch targeted emails.
Macro security settings in Office
Why this is correct
Macro settings can disable or restrict macro execution.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
An employee at a financial services firm receives an email that appears to come from the IT helpdesk, asking them to reset their password via a link. The link leads to a convincing fake portal that harvests credentials. Security teams use phishing simulations and security-awareness training to reduce this attack vector. Questions like this test whether you can identify social engineering techniques and appropriate controls.
What to study next
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Systems and Application Security — This question tests Systems and Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Macro security settings in Office — Macro security settings in Office can disable macros or require signed macros, preventing execution. Spam filter may not detect targeted phishing. Attachment scanning may miss zero-day variants. User training reduces risk but does not technically block.
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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