- A
HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP typically uses port 80 or 8080.
- B
SMB
SMB uses port 445 for direct TCP communication, often associated with file sharing.
- C
FTP
Why wrong: FTP uses ports 20 and 21.
- D
DNS
Why wrong: DNS uses port 53.
Question 942 of 1,000
easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: An analyst notices unusual outbound traffic from…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. 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 analyst notices unusual outbound traffic from a workstation to an external IP on port 445. Which protocol is likely being used?
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
✓
SMB
Port 445 is the default port for Microsoft-DS (Direct Hosting of SMB over TCP/IP), which is used by the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol for file and printer sharing. Unusual outbound traffic on this port often indicates SMB activity, such as a workstation attempting to connect to a remote share or, in a security context, potential data exfiltration or lateral movement using SMB.
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.
- ✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP typically uses port 80 or 8080.
- ✓
SMB
Why this is correct
SMB uses port 445 for direct TCP communication, often associated with file sharing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
FTP
Why it's wrong here
FTP uses ports 20 and 21.
- ✗
DNS
Why it's wrong here
DNS uses port 53.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the association of well-known ports with their protocols, and the trap here is that candidates may confuse port 445 with NetBIOS (ports 137-139) or assume SMB only uses ports 137-139, forgetting that modern SMB over TCP/IP uses port 445 directly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SMB over TCP/IP (NetBIOS-less) uses port 445 directly, bypassing the legacy NetBIOS over TCP/IP (ports 137-139). Under the hood, SMB operates as a request-response protocol, and outbound traffic on port 445 from a workstation could indicate an attempt to mount a remote share or, in a real-world attack scenario, the use of tools like PsExec or EternalBlue to propagate malware laterally. Security analysts often monitor this port for signs of unauthorized data transfer or ransomware activity.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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 SSCP question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SMB — Port 445 is the default port for Microsoft-DS (Direct Hosting of SMB over TCP/IP), which is used by the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol for file and printer sharing. Unusual outbound traffic on this port often indicates SMB activity, such as a workstation attempting to connect to a remote share or, in a security context, potential data exfiltration or lateral movement using SMB.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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