- A
Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion.
This ASR rule is designed to block executables in writable system directories where persistence is common.
- B
Block Office communication application from creating child processes.
Why wrong: This rule blocks Office apps from creating executable child processes, but does not target writable system directories.
- C
Block credential stealing from the Windows local security authority subsystem (lsass.exe).
Why wrong: This rule protects against LSASS credential dumping, not against executable execution from writable directories.
- D
Block executable content from email client and webmail.
Why wrong: This rule blocks executable attachments from email applications, not from writable system directories.
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 block executable files from running from writable system directories such as %TEMP% and %APPDATA% on Windows devices. Which attack surface reduction (ASR) rule should be enabled?
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
Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion.
The ASR rule 'Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion' (GUID: 01443614-cd74-433a-b99e-2ecdc07bfc25) is designed specifically to block executables (e.g., .exe, .dll, .scr) from running from writable locations like %TEMP% and %APPDATA% unless they have sufficient global prevalence, are older than a certain age, or are on a trusted list. This directly addresses the administrator's requirement to prevent untrusted executables from executing from these directories.
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.
- ✓
Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion.
Why this is correct
This ASR rule is designed to block executables in writable system directories where persistence is common.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Block Office communication application from creating child processes.
Why it's wrong here
This rule blocks Office apps from creating executable child processes, but does not target writable system directories.
- ✗
Block credential stealing from the Windows local security authority subsystem (lsass.exe).
Why it's wrong here
This rule protects against LSASS credential dumping, not against executable execution from writable directories.
- ✗
Block executable content from email client and webmail.
Why it's wrong here
This rule blocks executable attachments from email applications, not from writable system directories.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the 'Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion' rule with the 'Block executable content from email client and webmail' rule, mistakenly thinking the latter covers all executable execution from writable directories when it only applies to email/webmail sources.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This ASR rule uses Microsoft's cloud-based reputation service (part of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint) to evaluate executables against prevalence data (how many devices have seen the file), age (how long the file has existed), and a trusted list (signed by Microsoft or other trusted publishers). Under the hood, it hooks into the Windows kernel to intercept process creation calls and checks the file's origin path; if the path is in a writable directory like %TEMP% (typically C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Temp) and the file fails the criteria, the process is blocked. A real-world scenario is ransomware that drops a payload into %APPDATA% and executes it—this rule can block it if the payload is new and not prevalent.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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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: Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion. — The ASR rule 'Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion' (GUID: 01443614-cd74-433a-b99e-2ecdc07bfc25) is designed specifically to block executables (e.g., .exe, .dll, .scr) from running from writable locations like %TEMP% and %APPDATA% unless they have sufficient global prevalence, are older than a certain age, or are on a trusted list. This directly addresses the administrator's requirement to prevent untrusted executables from executing from these directories.
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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