The correct conclusion is that two hosts are consistently downloading malware. This is determined by analyzing the proxy logs, where internal IPs 192.168.1.10 and 192.168.1.20 repeatedly request an executable file from a known malware domain, and each request returns an HTTP 200 status code, confirming successful downloads. On the Systems Security Practitioner SSCP exam, proxy log analysis questions test your ability to correlate network indicators like source IPs, HTTP status codes, and cache results (such as TCP_MISS or DIRECT) to identify malicious activity. A common trap is assuming a TCP_MISS or DIRECT flag means the request was blocked, but these flags simply indicate the proxy did not cache the response and allowed the request to pass through to the internet. Remember: a 200 status code from a known bad domain is a clear sign of a successful malware download, regardless of proxy flags. Memory tip: “200 from a bad host is a download you can toast.”
SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of risk identification, monitoring and analysis. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
2019-05-22 10:15:30 192.168.1.10 TCP_MISS/200 1256 GET http://malware.com/evil.exe - DIRECT/203.0.113.5 text/html
2019-05-22 10:15:31 192.168.1.20 TCP_MISS/200 1042 GET http://malware.com/evil.exe - DIRECT/203.0.113.5 application/x-msdownload
2019-05-22 10:15:34 192.168.1.10 TCP_MISS/200 1256 GET http://malware.com/evil.exe - DIRECT/203.0.113.5 text/html
2019-05-22 10:15:35 192.168.1.20 TCP_MISS/200 1042 GET http://malware.com/evil.exe - DIRECT/203.0.113.5 application/x-msdownload
Based on the exhibit, which conclusion is most likely?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Two hosts are consistently downloading malware.
Option A is correct because two internal hosts (192.168.1.10 and .20) repeatedly download an executable from a known malware domain. The HTTP status 200 indicates successful downloads. Option B is incorrect because 'TCP_MISS' and 'DIRECT' show the proxy allowed the request. Option C is unlikely given the repeated connections to a malware domain. Option D is incorrect because the activity is ongoing.
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.
✓
Two hosts are consistently downloading malware.
Why this is correct
The logs show repeated successful GET requests for an executable from a known malware domain by two IPs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The downloads are false positives.
Why it's wrong here
Multiple downloads from a known malware source indicate actual malware, not false positives.
✗
The threat has been contained.
Why it's wrong here
The logs show ongoing downloads; containment has not occurred.
✗
The proxy is blocking the downloads.
Why it's wrong here
The proxy returned TCP_MISS/200, meaning it allowed the request and fetched it directly from the internet.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The logs show ongoing downloads; containment has not occurred.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis — This question tests Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Two hosts are consistently downloading malware. — Option A is correct because two internal hosts (192.168.1.10 and .20) repeatedly download an executable from a known malware domain. The HTTP status 200 indicates successful downloads. Option B is incorrect because 'TCP_MISS' and 'DIRECT' show the proxy allowed the request. Option C is unlikely given the repeated connections to a malware domain. Option D is incorrect because the activity is ongoing.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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