Sarah, a system administrator, was alerted of potential malicious activity on the network of her company. She discovered a malicious program spread through the instant messenger application used by…

Question

Options

• AInstant Messenger Applications; verifying the sender's identity before opening any files
• BInsecure Patch Management; updating application software regularly
• CRogue/Decoy Applications; ensuring software is labeled as TRUSTED
• DPortable Hardware Media/Removable Devices; disabling Autorun functionality

• A
  86% (44)
• B
  4% (2)
• C
  2% (1)
• D
  8% (4)

Explanation

Explanation

Option A is correct because the attack vector is explicitly the instant messenger application - the attacker compromised a teammate's account and used it to distribute malicious files through that platform, making "Instant Messenger Applications" the accurate attack classification. The preventive measure directly aligns: had team members verified the sender's identity (e.g., confirming via phone or another channel before opening files), the malware spread could have been stopped, even with a legitimate-looking account sending the files.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• B is incorrect because there is no mention of missing patches or software vulnerabilities being exploited; the attacker used social engineering through a compromised account.
• C is incorrect because the messenger application was legitimate, not a rogue or decoy application - the threat came from within a trusted platform.
• D is incorrect because no removable hardware (USB drives, etc.) was involved; the attack spread entirely through a network-based messaging platform.

Memory Tip

Think "method matches measure" - the attack method (messenger app) must match the measure (verify the sender before clicking). If the scenario describes files sent through a chat app by a hijacked account, always look for identity verification as the countermeasure, since account compromise ≠ patch problem or hardware issue.

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