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200-301 exam dumps: questions 401 to 500 of 503

Page 5 of the free 200-301 question bank for the Cisco Certified Network Associate exam. Questions 401 to 500 are listed below, the first 5 in full with answers and explanations. Back to page 1 for the exam overview and FAQ.

Question bank last updated April 2025

Free 200-301 practice questions

Questions 403 to 407 of 503

Pick an answer before you open the explanation. Each question also has its own page with a permalink.

200-301 Question 403

Select 3

A company has recently experienced a data breach due to a phishing attack. Upon investigation, it was discovered that an employee clicked on a malicious link in an email, which allowed the attacker to install malware and exfiltrate sensitive data. Which of the following measures would best mitigate this type of security threat in the future?

  1. A

    Conduct regular employee cybersecurity awareness training.

  2. B

    Implement email filtering to detect and block phishing emails.

  3. C

    Disable all external email communications for employees.

  4. D

    Deploy endpoint protection software to detect and block malware.

  5. E

    Require employees to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when accessing company resources.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answers: A, B, D

Explanation

Phishing attacks exploit human vulnerabilities and often deliver malware. Mitigating this threat requires a combination of employee training to recognize phishing tactics, email filtering to block phishing emails, and endpoint protection to detect and block malware. These measures address the attack at various levels, reducing the risk of such incidents in the future.

  • A. Correct.

    Regular cybersecurity awareness training helps employees recognize and avoid phishing attempts, reducing the likelihood of them clicking on malicious links.

  • B. Correct.

    Email filtering can identify and block phishing emails before they reach employees, reducing exposure to such threats.

  • C. Incorrect.

    Disabling all external email communications is impractical for most businesses and does not address the root cause of phishing attacks.

  • D. Correct.

    Endpoint protection software can detect and block malware that may be delivered via phishing attacks, limiting the potential damage.

  • E. Incorrect.

    While MFA adds an additional layer of security to prevent unauthorized access, it does not directly mitigate phishing attacks or malware installation.

200-301 Question 404

Select 3

You are a network administrator for a company and have noticed unauthorized access attempts to a critical server. After investigating, you find that the attacker exploited a known vulnerability in the server's operating system that had not been patched. Which of the following actions should you take to mitigate this issue and prevent future occurrences?

  1. A

    Apply the latest security patches to the server's operating system.

  2. B

    Implement a firewall rule to block all traffic to the server.

  3. C

    Enable intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to monitor traffic.

  4. D

    Perform regular vulnerability scans and address identified weaknesses.

  5. E

    Disable the server’s network interface to prevent further exploitation.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answers: A, C, D

Explanation

To mitigate the issue and prevent future occurrences, you need to address the core vulnerability (by applying patches), implement monitoring and preventive measures (using IDPS), and perform regular assessments to identify and fix weaknesses. Blocking all traffic or disabling the server is either impractical or overly disruptive, making these inappropriate solutions.

  • A. Correct.

    Applying the latest security patches is essential to resolve the known vulnerability in the operating system.

  • B. Incorrect.

    Blocking all traffic to the server is not a practical solution as it would disrupt legitimate user access to the server.

  • C. Correct.

    Enabling IDPS helps monitor and block malicious traffic, providing an additional layer of security.

  • D. Correct.

    Performing regular vulnerability scans ensures that you can identify and mitigate potential weaknesses proactively.

  • E. Incorrect.

    Disabling the server’s network interface is an extreme measure that would render the server unusable for legitimate purposes.

200-301 Question 405

Single answer

A network administrator discovers that an attacker is leveraging a vulnerability in an outdated operating system to gain unauthorized access to company servers. Which action should the administrator take to address this issue effectively?

  1. A

    Apply the latest security patches to the operating system

  2. B

    Install an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) to block all network traffic

  3. C

    Enable port mirroring on the switch to monitor traffic

  4. D

    Perform a complete backup and replace the affected servers

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct action to mitigate the described threat is to apply the latest security patches to the operating system. This addresses the vulnerability being exploited by the attacker and prevents further unauthorized access. While other options may be part of a broader security plan, they do not directly resolve the specific issue caused by the outdated OS.

  • A. Correct.

    Applying the latest security patches resolves the vulnerability being exploited by the attacker, effectively mitigating the threat.

  • B. Incorrect.

    Installing an IPS is a preventative measure, but it does not directly address the vulnerability in the outdated operating system.

  • C. Incorrect.

    Enabling port mirroring helps monitor network traffic but does not mitigate the vulnerability or stop the exploit.

  • D. Incorrect.

    Performing a backup and replacing servers is a drastic measure that does not address the root cause of the vulnerability or stop the exploit.

200-301 Question 406

Single answer

A network engineer is troubleshooting a connectivity issue in a branch office. The branch office router is configured with a default route to the ISP's router. The engineer runs a traceroute to a public IP address, but it shows that the packet is not leaving the branch office network. Which routing technique should the engineer verify to resolve the issue?

  1. A

    Ensure the branch office router has a static route to the ISP's network

  2. B

    Verify that the default route on the branch office router is correct

  3. C

    Enable NAT (Network Address Translation) on the branch office router

  4. D

    Check if the public IP address is reachable from the ISP's router

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The engineer needs to verify that the default route on the branch office router is correct. A default route is used to forward packets destined for unknown networks, such as the internet, to the next-hop router (in this case, the ISP's router). If the default route is misconfigured or missing, the packet will not leave the branch office network.

  • A. Incorrect.

    A static route to the ISP's network is unnecessary since a default route is already configured. The default route should suffice for this purpose.

  • B. Correct.

    The default route is critical for directing traffic destined for unknown networks toward the ISP. If the default route is misconfigured, the packet will not leave the branch office network.

  • C. Incorrect.

    While NAT is necessary for translating private IP addresses to public ones, it does not affect whether the default route is correctly configured.

  • D. Incorrect.

    Checking if the public IP address is reachable from the ISP's router is a step beyond the branch office's control and does not directly address the immediate issue.

200-301 Question 407

Single answer

A network engineer is troubleshooting connectivity issues within a small office network. The engineer uses a ping command to test connectivity between two devices and receives a 'Request Timed Out' message. Which troubleshooting technique should the engineer use next to further diagnose the issue?

  1. A

    Use the traceroute command to determine the path to the destination device.

  2. B

    Check the IP configuration of both devices to ensure they are on the same subnet.

  3. C

    Replace the network cables between the devices and re-test connectivity.

  4. D

    Restart both devices to resolve any temporary issues.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

When troubleshooting connectivity issues, it is important to first verify the basic configuration. Checking the IP configuration ensures both devices are properly configured and can communicate within the same subnet. This is a fundamental step before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting techniques like traceroute or hardware checks.

  • A. Incorrect.

    Traceroute is useful for identifying the path to a destination, but it does not address issues such as incorrect IP addressing or subnetting, which are common causes of connectivity problems.

  • B. Correct.

    Checking the IP configuration ensures that both devices are configured correctly and are on the same subnet, which is essential for communication within a local network.

  • C. Incorrect.

    Replacing network cables is a valid troubleshooting step in cases of suspected hardware failure, but there is no indication in this scenario that the cables are faulty.

  • D. Incorrect.

    Restarting devices can resolve some temporary issues, but it is not a systematic troubleshooting step and does not address underlying configuration problems.

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200-301 practice questions 401 to 500 of 503

Every question has a page with the answer and explanation. Numbers are stable, so you can bookmark or share them. The bank is split into 6 pages of up to 100 questions.

  1. 403.A company has recently experienced a data breach due to a phishing attack. Upon investigation, it was...
  2. 404.You are a network administrator for a company and have noticed unauthorized access attempts to a critical...
  3. 405.A network administrator discovers that an attacker is leveraging a vulnerability in an outdated operating...
  4. 406.A network engineer is troubleshooting a connectivity issue in a branch office. The branch office router is...
  5. 407.A network engineer is troubleshooting connectivity issues within a small office network. The engineer uses a...
  6. 408.A network administrator is configuring a switch to improve security by preventing MAC address spoofing...
  7. 409.A network administrator is tasked with implementing a secure method to prevent unauthorized devices from...
  8. 410.A small company is reviewing its security program to prevent unauthorized access to its server room. Which of...
  9. 411.A company has recently experienced a security breach caused by an employee clicking on a phishing link in an...
  10. 412.A company is implementing a security program to protect its sensitive information. Which combination of...
  11. 413.A network administrator is implementing a security program for their organization. Which of the following...
  12. 414.A network administrator is configuring access control for a company's network. The goal is to ensure that...
  13. 415.A network administrator is troubleshooting a connectivity issue between two branches of an organization. The...
  14. 416.A network engineer is troubleshooting access control issues in a corporate network. The engineer has...
  15. 417.A network administrator is tasked with implementing access control policies for a company's network. The goal...
  16. 418.You are configuring a Cisco router and want to secure access to the privileged EXEC mode by setting a local...
  17. 419.You are configuring access control on a Cisco router to restrict unauthorized access. You set up a local...
  18. 420.A network administrator is tasked with configuring local access control on a Cisco router. They need to...
  19. 421.A network administrator is tasked with securing access to a Cisco router by ensuring only users with the...
  20. 422.A network administrator is tasked with creating a password policy to enhance security for all network devices...
  21. 423.A network administrator is tasked with implementing a new password policy for all devices in the...
  22. 424.A network administrator is configuring password policies on a Cisco device to enhance security. Which of the...
  23. 425.An organization is implementing a new security password policy on their network devices. The policy requires...
  24. 426.A network administrator is tasked with securing access to a company's internal systems. The administrator is...
  25. 427.A company is implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) for its employees to enhance security. Which of...
  26. 428.A network administrator is tasked with securing access to a company's internal systems. They want to reduce...
  27. 429.A network administrator is tasked with enhancing access security for a corporate VPN. The company requires a...
  28. 430.An organization has its main office in Location A and a branch office in Location B. They need to securely...
  29. 431.A company has multiple branch offices that need to securely connect to the headquarters and allow employees...
  30. 432.A network administrator is tasked with setting up a secure communication channel between the headquarters and...
  31. 433.A network administrator is tasked with connecting two branch offices securely over the internet. The solution...
  32. 434.A network administrator is tasked with configuring an access control list (ACL) on a router to deny HTTP and...
  33. 435.You are configuring an access control list (ACL) on a router to allow only SSH traffic from the...
  34. 436.A network administrator is tasked with configuring an access control list (ACL) on a router to block HTTP...
  35. 437.You are configuring an extended access control list (ACL) on a router to allow HTTP traffic (port 80) from...
  36. 438.You are tasked with securing a Layer 2 network against common attacks. The network includes a mix of trusted...
  37. 439.You are configuring Layer 2 security on a switch in a network with multiple VLANs. The goal is to prevent...
  38. 440.You are tasked with securing a Layer 2 network in your organization. The DHCP server is located in VLAN 10,...
  39. 441.You are tasked with configuring Layer 2 security features on a switch to mitigate potential attacks. The...
  40. 442.A network administrator has configured port security on a switch interface to prevent unauthorized devices...
  41. 443.A network administrator wants to secure a switch port by allowing only one specific MAC address to connect to...
  42. 444.A network administrator wants to use port security to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to a...
  43. 445.A network administrator is tasked with securing a switch port connected to a critical server to prevent...
  44. 446.A network administrator is configuring a network access control system for employees accessing sensitive...
  45. 447.A network administrator is configuring access to a company's internal resources. They implement a system...
  46. 448.A network administrator is implementing a new security system for the company's network. The system will...
  47. 449.A network administrator is configuring access to a corporate network. They use a RADIUS server to ensure that...
  48. 450.A network administrator is tasked with securing a wireless network for a corporate office. The network should...
  49. 451.A network administrator is tasked with securing a new wireless network. The network will handle sensitive...
  50. 452.A network administrator is configuring a wireless network for a corporate office. The goal is to implement...
  51. 453.A network administrator is securing a wireless network in a corporate environment that handles sensitive...
  52. 454.You are tasked with configuring a wireless network in a small office using a Cisco Wireless LAN Controller...
  53. 455.A network administrator is tasked with configuring a new WLAN for a company's guest network using WPA2-PSK...
  54. 456.You are tasked with configuring a WLAN on a Cisco wireless LAN controller (WLC) using WPA2 PSK for security....
  55. 457.You are asked to configure a wireless network for a small office using the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller...
  56. 458.A network engineer is tasked with automating a routine configuration task across multiple devices in a...
  57. 459.A network engineer is tasked with automating the configuration of multiple network devices in a data center....
  58. 460.A network administrator wants to automate the configuration of multiple routers in their network using a...
  59. 461.A network engineer is tasked with configuring a network using an automation tool to deploy consistent...
  60. 462.A network administrator is managing a large-scale enterprise network and is tasked with reducing repetitive...
  61. 463.A network administrator is tasked with deploying a new branch office. To streamline the configuration of...
  62. 464.A network administrator is tasked with managing a large-scale network with hundreds of devices. To reduce...
  63. 465.A network administrator is managing a growing enterprise network where configuration changes are frequently...
  64. 466.An organization is considering migrating from a traditional network to a controller-based networking model....
  65. 467.A company is transitioning from a traditional network to a controller-based networking approach to improve...
  66. 468.An organization is considering migrating from a traditional network to a controller-based networking...
  67. 469.A network engineer is tasked with updating the company's traditional network to a controller-based networking...
  68. 470.You are working in an enterprise network that has recently migrated to a software-defined architecture using...
  69. 471.An organization is deploying a software-defined network (SDN) architecture in their data center. They need to...
  70. 472.An organization is deploying a software-defined network (SDN) in their enterprise environment. The network...
  71. 473.An enterprise network is transitioning to a software-defined architecture using a controller-based model. The...
  72. 474.A network engineer is tasked with deploying a software-defined networking (SDN) solution in a data center....
  73. 475.A network engineer is tasked with implementing a Software Defined Networking (SDN) solution in a data center....
  74. 476.A network engineer is tasked with implementing a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) solution in a data center....
  75. 477.A network engineer is designing a software-defined networking (SDN) architecture for an enterprise data...
  76. 478.You are configuring a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) environment in your organization. The controller uses...
  77. 479.A network engineer is configuring a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controller to manage a data center...
  78. 480.A network engineer is tasked with integrating a software-defined networking (SDN) controller into an...
  79. 481.A network engineer is implementing a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) solution for a data center. The SDN...
  80. 482.A network administrator is tasked with implementing a solution to predict network congestion and...
  81. 483.A network administrator is tasked with optimizing network performance and detecting anomalies in real-time....
  82. 484.A network administrator is using an AI-powered network monitoring tool that employs predictive analytics to...
  83. 485.A network operations team has implemented a monitoring tool that uses machine learning to analyze historical...
  84. 486.A network administrator is implementing a REST-based API to interact with a network device. The API needs to...
  85. 487.A network engineer is tasked with integrating a REST-based API for a cloud application. The API documentation...
  86. 488.A network engineer is developing an application that interacts with a REST-based API to manage network...
  87. 489.A network administrator is designing an application that interacts with a REST-based API to retrieve and...
  88. 490.A network engineer is troubleshooting a communication issue on a serial link between two routers. The link...
  89. 491.A network administrator is troubleshooting data transmission over a serial link between two routers. The...
  90. 492.A network administrator is troubleshooting a communication issue between two devices on a wired Ethernet...
  91. 493.A network administrator is configuring a communication link for a serial connection between two routers. The...
  92. 494.A network administrator wants to automate the configuration of multiple network devices in their...
  93. 495.You are tasked with automating the deployment of configurations to multiple network devices in your...
  94. 496.You are tasked with automating the configuration of multiple network devices in your organization. The goal...
  95. 497.A network administrator is tasked with automating the deployment of configurations to multiple network...
  96. 498.A network engineer is tasked with automating the deployment of virtual network infrastructure in a cloud...
  97. 499.You are a network administrator tasked with automating the deployment of network infrastructure on a cloud...
  98. 500.A network administrator is tasked with automating the provisioning of cloud infrastructure for a new web...
  99. 501.You are tasked with deploying a web server infrastructure in a multi-cloud environment using Terraform....
  100. 502.You are troubleshooting an API response from a web service that returns data in JSON format. The response...