A friend has called you about a possible computer problem because her computer is acting strangely. Sounds play unexpectedly, the monitor turns off suddenly, the hard-drive light flashes constantly…

Question

Options

• AThe computer has been infected with a polymorphic virus.
• BThe computer is experiencing a denial-of-service attack.
• CThe computer has been infected with an illicit server.
• DThe computer has been infected by a worm.

• A
  5% (3)
• B
  8% (5)
• C
  85% (55)
• D
  3% (2)

Explanation

Option C is correct because an illicit server (commonly a Remote Access Trojan/RAT) installs hidden server software that opens ports and grants a remote attacker interactive control over the victim's machine - directly explaining the erratic sounds, monitor behavior, reboots, and constant disk activity, all of which look like someone else is using the computer remotely.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A (Polymorphic virus): Polymorphic viruses focus on self-replication while evading detection by mutating their code. They don't inherently open ports or enable remote control, so they wouldn't produce this interactive symptom pattern.
• B (DoS attack): A denial-of-service attack overwhelms a system with traffic from the outside - it's not an infection and wouldn't cause sounds, screen shutdowns, or reboots; it would make the machine slow or unreachable.
• D (Worm): Worms self-propagate across networks and can cause bandwidth issues, but they don't establish remote control sessions that would produce interactive symptoms like unexpected sounds or a monitor turning off.

Memory tip: Picture "illicit server" as a squatter who secretly moved into your computer and is running their own operation from inside - the open ports are the unlocked doors they use to get in and out, and the strange activity is them rummaging around while you're home.

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