- A
Run a quick scan on the device from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Running a quick scan in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is the fastest way to detect common malware and start an initial investigation.
- B
Check the device inventory for recent software installations
Why wrong: Checking the device inventory for recent software installations is not the first step when suspecting active malware; it may help later but does not address the immediate issue.
- C
Initiate a live response session on the device
Why wrong: Initiating a live response session is more invasive and should be performed after initial detection or if deeper investigation is needed, not as the first step.
- D
Submit a suspicious file to Microsoft for analysis
Why wrong: Submitting a suspicious file to Microsoft for analysis is not the first step; it is typically done after identifying a specific file of interest.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. 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 organization uses Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. A user reports that their device is running slowly and they see unexpected pop-ups. The security team suspects malware. What should the team do first to investigate?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Run a quick scan on the device from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Option A is correct because running a quick scan in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint will detect common malware quickly. Option B is wrong because checking the device inventory for recent software installations is not the first step in an active suspected infection. Option C is wrong because initiating a live response session is more invasive and should be used after initial detection. Option D is wrong because submitting a suspicious file to Microsoft for analysis is not the first step and typically occurs after a sample is collected.
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.
- ✓
Run a quick scan on the device from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Why this is correct
Running a quick scan in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is the fastest way to detect common malware and start an initial investigation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Check the device inventory for recent software installations
Why it's wrong here
Checking the device inventory for recent software installations is not the first step when suspecting active malware; it may help later but does not address the immediate issue.
- ✗
Initiate a live response session on the device
Why it's wrong here
Initiating a live response session is more invasive and should be performed after initial detection or if deeper investigation is needed, not as the first step.
- ✗
Submit a suspicious file to Microsoft for analysis
Why it's wrong here
Submitting a suspicious file to Microsoft for analysis is not the first step; it is typically done after identifying a specific file of interest.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run a quick scan on the device from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint — Option A is correct because running a quick scan in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint will detect common malware quickly. Option B is wrong because checking the device inventory for recent software installations is not the first step in an active suspected infection. Option C is wrong because initiating a live response session is more invasive and should be used after initial detection. Option D is wrong because submitting a suspicious file to Microsoft for analysis is not the first step and typically occurs after a sample is collected.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.
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