The answer is to add a filter that excludes IP addresses from the corporate VPN range and common applications like Outlook Web Access. This refinement directly targets the root cause of false positives in a single logon detection query: legitimate, routine access from trusted sources. By filtering out known corporate IPs and common webmail platforms, you isolate truly anomalous single logons that may indicate a compromised account used only once, rather than normal user behavior. On the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 exam, this tests your ability to apply context-aware filtering in KQL for advanced hunting, a key skill for reducing noise in threat detection. A common trap is over-filtering—removing all single logons (which eliminates the threat you’re hunting) or using overly broad filters that miss external anomalies. Remember the memory tip: “VPN and OWA, filter them away—keep the odd one-login for the hunt to stay.”
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```kusto
IdentityLogonEvents
| where Timestamp > ago(14d)
| where AccountUpn endswith "@contoso.com"
| summarize LogonCount = count() by AccountUpn, IPAddress, Application
| where LogonCount == 1
| project AccountUpn, IPAddress, Application
```
You are analyzing the query above in Microsoft 365 Defender advanced hunting. The goal is to identify potentially compromised accounts used only once. The query returns thousands of results including many normal single logons. How can you refine the query to reduce false positives?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a filter to exclude IP addresses from the corporate VPN range and common applications like Outlook Web Access.
Option A is correct because filtering out known corporate IP ranges and common applications helps isolate anomalous single logons. Option B removes all single logons. Option C filters too broadly. Option D may miss external logons.
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.
✗
Change the where clause to LogonCount > 1.
Why it's wrong here
This would exclude the very pattern you are hunting for (single logons).
✗
Remove the filter on AccountUpn endswith "@contoso.com".
Why it's wrong here
This would include external accounts, increasing noise.
✗
Add a filter to only include accounts that have never logged on before.
Why it's wrong here
This is not straightforward and may filter out legitimate new accounts.
✓
Add a filter to exclude IP addresses from the corporate VPN range and common applications like Outlook Web Access.
Why this is correct
This removes expected single logons from known sources.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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: Add a filter to exclude IP addresses from the corporate VPN range and common applications like Outlook Web Access. — Option A is correct because filtering out known corporate IP ranges and common applications helps isolate anomalous single logons. Option B removes all single logons. Option C filters too broadly. Option D may miss external logons.
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.
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Question Discussion
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