- A
Add the malicious URL to the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint custom threat indicator list.
This blocks the URL across all devices and is the fastest way to prevent further clicks.
- B
Isolate all affected users' devices from the network.
Why wrong: Isolation is a drastic step that should be taken only if there is evidence of active exploitation; it is not the first action.
- C
Report the email to Microsoft for analysis.
Why wrong: Reporting is useful for intelligence but does not provide immediate protection.
- D
Block the sender email address in the tenant.
Why wrong: Blocking the sender does not stop users from clicking a link that is already delivered.
Question 102 of 1,639
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.
You are a security analyst investigating a detected phishing campaign targeting users in your organization. The Microsoft Defender for Office 365 alert indicates that several users clicked on a malicious link. Which action should you take first to prevent further compromise?
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
✓
Add the malicious URL to the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint custom threat indicator list.
Adding the malicious URL to the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint custom threat indicator list is the correct first action because it immediately blocks future access to that URL across all endpoints protected by Defender for Endpoint, preventing further compromise from users clicking the same link. This leverages the threat intelligence feed to enforce a block action at the network level, stopping the attack vector proactively without disrupting user productivity or requiring device isolation.
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.
- ✓
Add the malicious URL to the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint custom threat indicator list.
Why this is correct
This blocks the URL across all devices and is the fastest way to prevent further clicks.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Isolate all affected users' devices from the network.
Why it's wrong here
Isolation is a drastic step that should be taken only if there is evidence of active exploitation; it is not the first action.
- ✗
Report the email to Microsoft for analysis.
Why it's wrong here
Reporting is useful for intelligence but does not provide immediate protection.
- ✗
Block the sender email address in the tenant.
Why it's wrong here
Blocking the sender does not stop users from clicking a link that is already delivered.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse incident response containment steps (like device isolation) with the most immediate preventive action, failing to recognize that blocking the malicious URL at the endpoint level stops the attack vector for all users without the operational impact of isolating devices.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The custom threat indicator list in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint uses the TI indicator API to create IoC-based alerts and blocks, with a default expiration of 30 days; the block action is enforced by the Microsoft Defender Antivirus network protection service (Network Protection) which inspects outbound HTTP/HTTPS traffic and compares URLs against the indicator list. In a real-world scenario, if the phishing URL is a redirector or uses a legitimate domain with a malicious path, the indicator can be set to block the exact URL path, preventing bypasses that simple sender blocking would miss.
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 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Add the malicious URL to the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint custom threat indicator list. — Adding the malicious URL to the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint custom threat indicator list is the correct first action because it immediately blocks future access to that URL across all endpoints protected by Defender for Endpoint, preventing further compromise from users clicking the same link. This leverages the threat intelligence feed to enforce a block action at the network level, stopping the attack vector proactively without disrupting user productivity or requiring device isolation.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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