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SONAR(Symantec Online Network for Advanced Response) checks thereputation of a processbefore convicting it. This reputation-based approach evaluates the trustworthiness of the process by referencing Symantec’s database, which is compiled from millions of endpoints, allowing SONAR to make informed decisions about whether the process is likely benign or malicious.

Reputation Checking in SONAR:

Before taking action, SONAR uses reputation data to reduce the likelihood of false positives, which ensures that legitimate processes are not incorrectly flagged as threats.

This check provides an additional layer of accuracy to SONAR’s behavioral analysis.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

Quarantining(Option A) andblocking behavior(Option B) occur after SONAR has convicted a process, not before.

Restarting the system(Option C) is not part of SONAR’s process analysis workflow.

References: SONAR’s reliance on reputation checks as a preliminary step in process conviction enhances its accuracy in threat detection​.

Early Launch Antimalware (ELAM)is a feature that is designed to provideanti-malware protection during the early stages of Windows startup. When ELAM is enabled, it scans drivers and files that load during startup, especially those not digitally signed by trusted sources like Microsoft.

How ELAM Works:

ELAM loads before other drivers at startup and scans critical files and drivers, identifying potential malware that may attempt to execute before other security layers are fully operational.

Since the file observed is not digitally signed by Microsoft, ELAM would detect and analyze it at boot, preventing possible threats from initializing.

Advantages of ELAM:

It provides proactive defense against rootkits and other threats that may try to gain persistence on the system by loading during the Windows boot process.

Why Other Options Are Less Suitable:

Auto-ProtectandBehavioral Analysisare effective but operate after the system has booted.

Microsoft ELAMis already enabled by default in Windows but does not provide the same customizability as SEP’s ELAM feature.

References: Enabling ELAM is a key best practice for SEP to secure the earliest startup stages against unsigned or suspicious files​.

During theRecovery phaseof an incident response, it is critical for an Incident Responder to copy malicious files to theSEDR file storeor create an image of the infected system. This action preserves evidence associated with the incident, allowing for thorough investigation and analysis. By securing a copy of the malicious files or system state, responders maintain a record of the incident that can be analyzed for root cause assessment, used for potential legal proceedings, or retained for post-incident review. Documenting and preserving evidence ensures that key information is available for future reference or audits.

TheAdministrator roleis required to useLiveShellin Symantec’s Integrated Cyber Defense Manager (ICDm). LiveShell allows administrators to open a command-line interface on endpoints, providing direct access for troubleshooting and incident response.

Why Administrator Role is Necessary:

LiveShell grants high-level access to endpoints, so it is limited to users with Administrator privileges to prevent misuse and ensure only authorized personnel can initiate command-line sessions on endpoints.

Why Other Roles Are Incorrect:

Security Analyst(Option A) andViewer(Option C) do not have the necessary permissions to execute commands on endpoints.

Any(Option D) is incorrect because LiveShell access is restricted to the Administrator role for security reasons.

References: Administrator permissions are required to utilize LiveShell, ensuring only authorized users can access endpoint command interfaces for troubleshooting or response​.

To create a daily summary of network threats detected, an administrator should use theNetwork Risk Reporttemplate. This report template provides a comprehensive overview of threats within the network, including:

Summary of Threats Detected:It consolidates data on threats, providing a summary of recent detections across the network.

Insight into Network Security Posture:The report helps administrators understand the types and frequency of network threats, enabling them to make informed decisions on security measures.

Daily Monitoring:Using this report on a daily basis allows administrators to maintain an up-to-date view of the network’s risk profile and respond promptly to emerging threats.

The Network Risk Report template is ideal for regular monitoring of network security events.

In theDiscovered Items listwithin the ICDm (Integrated Cyber Defense Manager), the administrator shouldapply a list filterto display only high-risk files. List filters allow administrators to refine displayed results based on specific criteria, such as threat level, enabling focused analysis on high-risk items.

How List Filters Help in Investigations:

Applying a filter for high-risk items ensures that the administrator can concentrate on the most critical threats first, optimizing the investigation process and enabling prompt response.

Why Other Options Are Less Effective:

List control(Option A) andsearch rule(Option B) do not apply here, as they are not filtering mechanisms in the Discovered Items list.

Search modifier(Option C) may refine search terms but does not provide the same targeted filtering functionality as a list filter.

References: Using list filters is a standard practice in ICDm to efficiently narrow down threat items based on risk levels​.

Emerging threats are characterized by their use ofnew techniques and zero-day vulnerabilitiesto spread and evade detection. Unlike traditional threats, which are often recognized by existing definitions or known behaviors, emerging threats can exploit unknown weaknesses and use sophisticated methods to bypass defenses.

Emerging vs. Traditional Threats:

Traditional threats typically rely on older, well-documented attack methods, while emerging threats innovate with new propagation techniques or by exploiting recently discovered (or undisclosed) vulnerabilities.

These zero-day vulnerabilities are especially challenging because they are unknown to software vendors and antivirus programs, making detection difficult until patches or signatures are developed.

Why Other Options Are Less Accurate:

Although emerging threats may be more sophisticated (Option A) or undetectable by signatures (Option C), the defining characteristic is their reliance onnew methods and zero-day exploits.

Option B (requiring artificial intelligence for detection) is not strictly true; while AI can aid in detection, other advanced methods are also used.

References: The identification of emerging threats is essential in modern cybersecurity, particularly as they leverage zero-day vulnerabilities and advanced techniques that evade traditional detection methods​.

AnEndpoint Activity Recorder (EAR) full dumpconsists ofall recorded events that occurred on an endpoint. This comprehensive data capture includes every relevant activity, such as process executions, file accesses, and network connections, providing a full history of events on the endpoint for detailed forensic analysis.

Purpose of EAR Full Dump:

EAR full dumps offer a complete activity record for an endpoint, enabling incident responders to thoroughly investigate the behaviors and potential compromise pathways associated with that device.

This level of detail is crucial for in-depth investigations, as it captures the entire context of actions on the endpoint rather than isolating to a single process or file.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

Options A and B suggest limiting the dump to events related to a single file or process, which does not represent a full dump.

All events in the SEDR database(Option D) is inaccurate, as the full dump is specific to the events on a particular endpoint.

References: An EAR full dump includes all recorded events on an endpoint, offering a comprehensive activity log for investigation​.

ForWindows 10 in S mode, applications and agents like theSymantec Endpoint Security Complete (SESC) Network Integrity agentmust be obtained from trusted sources, specifically theMicrosoft Store. Windows 10 in S mode restricts installations to apps from the Microsoft Store to enhance security, thus requiring the SESC agent to be distributed through this channel.

Why the Microsoft Store:

Windows 10 in S mode is designed to only allow apps verified by Microsoft to ensure a controlled and secure environment.

By providing the Network Integrity agent through the Microsoft Store, Symantec ensures that it complies with S mode's security restrictions.

Why Other Options Are Not Suitable:

SESC Installation files(Option A),MDM distribution(Option B), andICDm package(Option D) do not comply with Windows 10 S mode requirements.

References: The Microsoft Store is the designated distribution source for apps in Windows 10 S mode environments​.

The Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) in Symantec Endpoint Protection operates by scanning inbound and outbound traffic packets against a defined list of signatures. This process aims to identify known attack patterns or anomalies that signify potential security threats.

When IPS detects a match in the traffic packet based on these custom signatures, the following sequence occurs:

Initial Detection and Match:The IPS engine actively monitors traffic in real-time, referencing its signature table. Each packet is checked sequentially until a match is found.

Halting Further Checks:Upon matching a signature with the inbound or outbound traffic, the IPS engine terminates further checks for other signatures in the same traffic packet. This design conserves system resources and optimizes performance by avoiding redundant processing once a threat has been identified.

Action on Detection:After identifying and confirming the threat based on the matched signature, the IPS engine enforces configured responses, such as blocking the packet, alerting administrators, or logging the event.

This approach ensures efficient threat detection by focusing only on the first detected signature, which prevents unnecessary processing overhead and ensures rapid incident response.