The answer is Automated investigation and remediation (AIR). This Microsoft Defender for Endpoint capability is correct because it uses built-in automation to instantly respond to detected threats: when malware is found on one endpoint, AIR automatically blocks the malicious file’s hash and propagates that block to all other endpoints in the organization, preventing execution anywhere else. On the MS-102 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how Microsoft 365 Defender orchestrates response actions across the environment—a common trap is confusing AIR with manual incident response or simple alerting, but remember that AIR is the only option that performs both the investigation and the remediation automatically. A helpful memory tip: think “AIR” as “Automatic Immediate Response”—once a file is flagged, AIR locks it down everywhere without waiting for a human.
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 administrator wants to automatically block a file that is detected as malware on one endpoint from being executed on all other endpoints in the organization. Which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint capability provides this?
Why wrong: ASR rules reduce attack surface by blocking common exploit techniques, but do not automatically block a specific file across all endpoints based on a detection.
B
Network protection
Why wrong: Network protection blocks connections to malicious hosts, but not file-level blocking across endpoints.
C
Tamper protection
Why wrong: Tamper protection prevents security settings from being changed, not file blocking.
D
Automated investigation and remediation
Automated investigation can take actions such as blocking a file and containing it across the organization.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Automated investigation and remediation
Automated investigation and remediation (AIR) in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is designed to automatically respond to detected threats by containing or blocking malicious files across the organization. When malware is detected on one endpoint, AIR can trigger a remediation action (e.g., blocking the file hash) that is propagated to all other endpoints via the Microsoft Defender security center, preventing execution elsewhere.
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.
✗
Attack surface reduction rules
Why it's wrong here
ASR rules reduce attack surface by blocking common exploit techniques, but do not automatically block a specific file across all endpoints based on a detection.
✗
Network protection
Why it's wrong here
Network protection blocks connections to malicious hosts, but not file-level blocking across endpoints.
✗
Tamper protection
Why it's wrong here
Tamper protection prevents security settings from being changed, not file blocking.
✓
Automated investigation and remediation
Why this is correct
Automated investigation can take actions such as blocking a file and containing it across the organization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse automated investigation and remediation with proactive controls like attack surface reduction rules, but AIR is specifically the reactive, automated response capability that can block a detected file across all endpoints.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, when AIR identifies a malicious file, it can create an indicator of compromise (IoC) with a block action for the file's SHA-256 hash, which is then distributed via the Defender cloud service to all enrolled endpoints. This leverages the cloud-delivered protection engine to enforce the block at the kernel level via the Microsoft Defender Antivirus filter driver (MsMpEng.exe), ensuring the file is blocked even if it arrives via different vectors. In a real-world scenario, if ransomware is detected on one workstation, AIR can automatically block the hash across the entire fleet within minutes, preventing lateral movement.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this MS-102 question in full detail.
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: Automated investigation and remediation — Automated investigation and remediation (AIR) in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is designed to automatically respond to detected threats by containing or blocking malicious files across the organization. When malware is detected on one endpoint, AIR can trigger a remediation action (e.g., blocking the file hash) that is propagated to all other endpoints via the Microsoft Defender security center, preventing execution elsewhere.
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.
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