- A
Remotely connect to the VM and run a script to kill the miner process, then update antivirus definitions
Why wrong: Killing the process does not prevent reinfection and does not block communication.
- B
Remove the VM from the load balancer, then use Azure Policy to enforce that all VMs have antivirus enabled
Why wrong: Does not block the miner's network activity; antivirus may not detect it.
- C
Stop the VM immediately, take a snapshot for forensic analysis, and then redeploy a clean VM from a backup
Why wrong: Stopping the VM disrupts production; redeployment is time-consuming.
- D
Use Microsoft Sentinel automation to apply a block rule on the VM's network security group (NSG) to block outbound traffic to known mining pools, initiate Live Response to collect evidence, and create an Azure Policy to automatically deploy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on all VMs
Blocks exfiltration, collects evidence, and prevents future occurrences.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use Microsoft Sentinel automation to apply a block rule on the VM’s network security group (NSG) to block outbound traffic to known mining pools, initiate Live Response to collect evidence, and create an Azure Policy to automatically deploy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on all VMs. This approach is correct because it contains the compromised Linux VM crypto miner by cutting its command-and-control communication without disrupting production, while Live Response provides forensic data for root cause analysis, and the Azure Policy enforces a preventive baseline across the environment. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to balance containment with availability, a common trap being to stop the VM or remove it from the load balancer—actions that either break production or fail to stop the miner locally. Remember the containment triad: block the network, collect the evidence, enforce the policy. A useful memory tip is “Block, Box, Baseline”—block traffic, box the evidence with Live Response, and baseline with Azure Policy.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR. A critical incident has been generated from Microsoft Defender for Cloud indicating that a Linux VM in Azure is running a cryptocurrency miner. The VM is part of a production application and cannot be shut down immediately. The incident severity is High. You need to contain the threat while maintaining application availability, investigate the root cause, and prevent recurrence. The environment includes Azure Policy, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on the VM, and a Log Analytics workspace. You must minimize manual steps. What course of action should you take?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Clue:
"immediately / without restart"Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
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
Use Microsoft Sentinel automation to apply a block rule on the VM's network security group (NSG) to block outbound traffic to known mining pools, initiate Live Response to collect evidence, and create an Azure Policy to automatically deploy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on all VMs
Option C is correct because it uses automation to block the miner's network traffic (containment), collects forensic data via Live Response (investigation), and configures Azure Policy to enforce remediation (prevention). Option A is wrong because stopping the VM disrupts production. Option B is wrong because only running a script does not block network communication. Option D is wrong because removing the VM from the load balancer still allows the miner to run locally and potentially communicate.
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.
- ✗
Remotely connect to the VM and run a script to kill the miner process, then update antivirus definitions
Why it's wrong here
Killing the process does not prevent reinfection and does not block communication.
- ✗
Remove the VM from the load balancer, then use Azure Policy to enforce that all VMs have antivirus enabled
Why it's wrong here
Does not block the miner's network activity; antivirus may not detect it.
- ✗
Stop the VM immediately, take a snapshot for forensic analysis, and then redeploy a clean VM from a backup
Why it's wrong here
Stopping the VM disrupts production; redeployment is time-consuming.
- ✓
Use Microsoft Sentinel automation to apply a block rule on the VM's network security group (NSG) to block outbound traffic to known mining pools, initiate Live Response to collect evidence, and create an Azure Policy to automatically deploy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on all VMs
Why this is correct
Blocks exfiltration, collects evidence, and prevents future occurrences.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "minimum / minimize", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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.
- →
Respond to security incidents — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Respond to security incidents practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SC-200 questions
1,639 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SC-200 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SC-200 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Manage a security operations environment practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Manage a security operations environment.
Respond to security incidents practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Respond to security incidents.
Perform threat hunting practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Perform threat hunting.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel.
SC-200 fundamentals practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 fundamentals.
SC-200 scenario practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 scenario.
SC-200 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SC-200 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Use Microsoft Sentinel automation to apply a block rule on the VM's network security group (NSG) to block outbound traffic to known mining pools, initiate Live Response to collect evidence, and create an Azure Policy to automatically deploy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on all VMs — Option C is correct because it uses automation to block the miner's network traffic (containment), collects forensic data via Live Response (investigation), and configures Azure Policy to enforce remediation (prevention). Option A is wrong because stopping the VM disrupts production. Option B is wrong because only running a script does not block network communication. Option D is wrong because removing the VM from the load balancer still allows the miner to run locally and potentially communicate.
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: "minimum / minimize", "immediately / without restart". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 →
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.
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.