- A
let entropy_threshold = 4.0; let length_threshold = 20; CommonSecurityLog | where DeviceVendor == "Palo Alto" | extend entropy = strlen(DestinationHostName) - countof(DestinationHostName, 'a', 'z') / strlen(DestinationHostName) | where entropy > entropy_threshold or strlen(DestinationHostName) > length_threshold
Entropy and length thresholds help detect random-looking DGA domains.
- B
CommonSecurityLog | where DestinationHostName !endswith ".com"
Why wrong: Filtering out .com domains is not specific to DGA; many legitimate non-.com domains exist.
- C
CommonSecurityLog | where DestinationHostName in (dynamic_threat_intel_list)
Why wrong: This relies on pre-existing threat intelligence, not dynamic hunting for unknown DGA.
- D
CommonSecurityLog | where DeviceVendor == "Palo Alto" | summarize count() by DestinationHostName | top 10 by count_
Why wrong: This only shows top domains by volume, not randomness indicative of DGA.
SC-200 Perform threat hunting Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of perform threat hunting. 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.
During a threat hunt, you notice an unusual number of DNS queries for randomly generated subdomains from a single workstation. You suspect data exfiltration via DNS tunneling. Which KQL query in Microsoft Sentinel would best help you identify the suspicious domain names?
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
let entropy_threshold = 4.0; let length_threshold = 20; CommonSecurityLog | where DeviceVendor == "Palo Alto" | extend entropy = strlen(DestinationHostName) - countof(DestinationHostName, 'a', 'z') / strlen(DestinationHostName) | where entropy > entropy_threshold or strlen(DestinationHostName) > length_threshold
Option A is correct because it calculates entropy and length to detect algorithmically generated domains (DGA), a common indicator of DNS tunneling. Option B is incorrect because filtering out non-.com domains may miss many DGA domains. Option C is incorrect because it relies on a static threat intelligence list rather than dynamic analysis. Option D is incorrect because it only lists top domains by count without assessing randomness.
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.
- ✓
let entropy_threshold = 4.0; let length_threshold = 20; CommonSecurityLog | where DeviceVendor == "Palo Alto" | extend entropy = strlen(DestinationHostName) - countof(DestinationHostName, 'a', 'z') / strlen(DestinationHostName) | where entropy > entropy_threshold or strlen(DestinationHostName) > length_threshold
Why this is correct
Entropy and length thresholds help detect random-looking DGA domains.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
CommonSecurityLog | where DestinationHostName !endswith ".com"
Why it's wrong here
Filtering out .com domains is not specific to DGA; many legitimate non-.com domains exist.
- ✗
CommonSecurityLog | where DestinationHostName in (dynamic_threat_intel_list)
Why it's wrong here
This relies on pre-existing threat intelligence, not dynamic hunting for unknown DGA.
- ✗
CommonSecurityLog | where DeviceVendor == "Palo Alto" | summarize count() by DestinationHostName | top 10 by count_
Why it's wrong here
This only shows top domains by volume, not randomness indicative of DGA.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This only shows top domains by volume, not randomness indicative of DGA.
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.
Visual reference
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?
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: let entropy_threshold = 4.0; let length_threshold = 20; CommonSecurityLog | where DeviceVendor == "Palo Alto" | extend entropy = strlen(DestinationHostName) - countof(DestinationHostName, 'a', 'z') / strlen(DestinationHostName) | where entropy > entropy_threshold or strlen(DestinationHostName) > length_threshold — Option A is correct because it calculates entropy and length to detect algorithmically generated domains (DGA), a common indicator of DNS tunneling. Option B is incorrect because filtering out non-.com domains may miss many DGA domains. Option C is incorrect because it relies on a static threat intelligence list rather than dynamic analysis. Option D is incorrect because it only lists top domains by count without assessing randomness.
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.
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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