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SY0-501 · Question #37

SY0-501 Question #37: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

The correct answer is A: Botnet. The communication between internal computers and external IPs during off-hours strongly indicates a botnet, as this behavior aligns with command and control (C2) communication. Other malware types do not primarily manifest as persistent outbound C2 traffic.

Submitted by rachelw· Mar 4, 2026

Question

A senior incident response manager receives a call about some external IPs communicating with internal computers during off hours. Which of the following types of malware is MOST likely causing this issue?

Options

  • ABotnet
  • BRansomware
  • CPolymorphic malware
  • DArmored virus

Explanation

The communication between internal computers and external IPs during off-hours strongly indicates a botnet, as this behavior aligns with command and control (C2) communication. Other malware types do not primarily manifest as persistent outbound C2 traffic.

Common mistakes.

  • B. Ransomware's primary characteristic is encrypting data and demanding a ransom payment, not persistent outbound communication with external IPs during off-hours for control purposes.
  • C. Polymorphic malware refers to malware that changes its code to evade signature-based detection, which describes a characteristic of malware, not its observed communication behavior.
  • D. An armored virus employs techniques to make reverse engineering and analysis difficult, which is a method of protection for the malware, not its external communication pattern.

Concept tested. Malware type identification based on network behavior

Reference. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/botnet-detection

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