The answer is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint advanced hunting tables like DeviceFileEvents and DeviceProcessEvents. This is correct because ransomware early indicators, such as mass file renaming or encryption, manifest as endpoint-level process and file events, which these tables capture in real time for proactive hunting. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between data sources that reveal operational behavior versus those logging administrative or authentication actions. A common trap is choosing Azure Activity Log or Azure AD sign-in logs, but those track control plane or identity events, not the granular file modifications that precede encryption. Remember the memory tip: “Endpoints execute; logs just record”—if you need to spot files being renamed or encrypted, hunt where the files live, on the endpoint.
SC-200 Perform threat hunting Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of perform threat hunting. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 threat hunter wants to proactively search for signs of ransomware activity in the environment using Microsoft Sentinel. Which data source is most likely to provide early indicators of ransomware, such as mass file renaming or encryption?
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
✓
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint advanced hunting tables like DeviceFileEvents and DeviceProcessEvents
Option B (Microsoft Defender for Endpoint) provides advanced hunting on endpoint processes and file events, which can detect mass file modifications indicative of ransomware. Option A (Azure Activity Log) logs control plane operations. Option C (Office 365 audit logs) logs cloud app activities. Option D (Azure AD sign-in logs) logs authentication events.
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.
✗
Azure AD sign-in logs
Why it's wrong here
Logs authentication events, not file system changes.
✓
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint advanced hunting tables like DeviceFileEvents and DeviceProcessEvents
Why this is correct
These tables capture file modifications and process executions that can indicate ransomware.
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.
✗
Azure Activity Log
Why it's wrong here
Logs Azure resource management operations, not file-level changes on endpoints.
✗
Office 365 audit logs (UnifiedAuditLog)
Why it's wrong here
Logs activities in cloud apps, not endpoint file changes.
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.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
Identify which SC-200 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.
Perform threat hunting — This question tests Perform threat hunting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint advanced hunting tables like DeviceFileEvents and DeviceProcessEvents — Option B (Microsoft Defender for Endpoint) provides advanced hunting on endpoint processes and file events, which can detect mass file modifications indicative of ransomware. Option A (Azure Activity Log) logs control plane operations. Option C (Office 365 audit logs) logs cloud app activities. Option D (Azure AD sign-in logs) logs authentication events.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Identify which SC-200 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This SC-200 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 SC-200 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.