- A
DeviceNetworkEvents | where RemoteIP == 'malicious IP' and Timestamp > ago(7d) | project DeviceName, InitiatingProcessFileName, Timestamp
Correct. This query directly retrieves the required fields from DeviceNetworkEvents, which already contains the initiating process name.
- B
DeviceProcessEvents | where ProcessId in (select ProcessId from DeviceNetworkEvents where RemoteIP == 'malicious IP' and Timestamp > ago(7d)) | project DeviceName, ProcessFileName, Timestamp
Why wrong: Incorrect. This is a suboptimal nested query that requires a join across tables, adding complexity and reducing efficiency.
- C
DeviceNetworkEvents | where Timestamp > ago(7d) | join DeviceProcessEvents on ProcessId | where RemoteIP == 'malicious IP' | project DeviceName, ProcessFileName, Timestamp
Why wrong: Incorrect. This join is unnecessary because DeviceNetworkEvents already contains the process filename.
- D
IdentityLogonEvents | where IPAddress == 'malicious IP' | project DeviceName, Timestamp
Why wrong: Incorrect. This table captures authentication logon events, not network connections, and does not include process information.
Quick Answer
The answer is the DeviceNetworkEvents table with a filter on RemoteIP and Timestamp. This is correct because DeviceNetworkEvents is the Microsoft 365 advanced hunting schema that specifically captures network connection data, including the remote IP address and the initiating process name, making it the most efficient query to identify which process on a device connected to a known malicious C2 server without requiring joins or subqueries. On the MS-102 exam, this tests your ability to select the right table for network-based threat hunting, a common scenario where candidates mistakenly reach for DeviceProcessEvents or DeviceEvents, which lack the remote IP field. A frequent trap is overcomplicating the query with unnecessary joins when a direct filter on RemoteIP and Timestamp with a simple project statement is all that is needed. Memory tip: think "Network for network" — DeviceNetworkEvents is your go-to for any connection-based hunting, including C2 traffic.
MS-102 Practice Question: Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage security and threats by using microsoft defender xdr. 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.
A security analyst needs to search for devices that have been communicating with a known malicious command-and-control server over the past 7 days. The analyst wants to identify the process that initiated the connection. Which advanced hunting query would be most efficient?
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
DeviceNetworkEvents | where RemoteIP == 'malicious IP' and Timestamp > ago(7d) | project DeviceName, InitiatingProcessFileName, Timestamp
Option A is correct because DeviceNetworkEvents contains network connection data including the remote IP and the initiating process details. Filtering by RemoteIP and Timestamp directly retrieves the required information without unnecessary joins or subqueries, making it the most efficient query for identifying the process that initiated the connection to a known malicious C2 server.
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.
- ✓
DeviceNetworkEvents | where RemoteIP == 'malicious IP' and Timestamp > ago(7d) | project DeviceName, InitiatingProcessFileName, Timestamp
Why this is correct
Correct. This query directly retrieves the required fields from DeviceNetworkEvents, which already contains the initiating process name.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DeviceProcessEvents | where ProcessId in (select ProcessId from DeviceNetworkEvents where RemoteIP == 'malicious IP' and Timestamp > ago(7d)) | project DeviceName, ProcessFileName, Timestamp
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This is a suboptimal nested query that requires a join across tables, adding complexity and reducing efficiency.
- ✗
DeviceNetworkEvents | where Timestamp > ago(7d) | join DeviceProcessEvents on ProcessId | where RemoteIP == 'malicious IP' | project DeviceName, ProcessFileName, Timestamp
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This join is unnecessary because DeviceNetworkEvents already contains the process filename.
- ✗
IdentityLogonEvents | where IPAddress == 'malicious IP' | project DeviceName, Timestamp
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This table captures authentication logon events, not network connections, and does not include process information.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may choose Option C thinking a join is necessary to get process details, but DeviceNetworkEvents already includes the initiating process name, making the join redundant and inefficient.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DeviceNetworkEvents in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint captures network connections initiated by processes, including fields like RemoteIP, RemotePort, and InitiatingProcessFileName. The query uses the ago() function to filter the last 7 days, leveraging the Timestamp column which is indexed for efficient time-range scans. In real-world scenarios, this query can be combined with threat intelligence feeds to quickly identify compromised devices by matching known malicious IPs.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this MS-102 question test?
Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR — This question tests Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DeviceNetworkEvents | where RemoteIP == 'malicious IP' and Timestamp > ago(7d) | project DeviceName, InitiatingProcessFileName, Timestamp — Option A is correct because DeviceNetworkEvents contains network connection data including the remote IP and the initiating process details. Filtering by RemoteIP and Timestamp directly retrieves the required information without unnecessary joins or subqueries, making it the most efficient query for identifying the process that initiated the connection to a known malicious C2 server.
What should I do if I get this MS-102 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 11, 2026
This MS-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 MS-102 exam.
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