Exam CAS-004 topic 1 question 364 discussion

Sandboxing is a technique where files or applications are executed in an isolated environment (the "sandbox") to observe their behavior before allowing them to run on a corporate workstation. This helps detect malicious behavior, such as file manipulation or exploitation attempts, without risking the corporate network or systems. NOT B. Option B can be effective in detecting known malware signatures, but it may not catch new or sophisticated threats, such as zero-day exploits or advanced malware that doesn't match existing signatures. Thus, executing the files in the sandbox on the web proxy provides the most thorough defense against the risk of malicious files being executed on corporate workstations.

The question asks what is the BEST way to reduce risk. That means the option that will cover the most. There is no limiting factors such as cost, automation, or convenience to the employee which is specifically stated in other questions that are looking for those options. Sandbox is the BEST because it covers the most including zero day attacks. Malware can still get through the gaps of a firewall or by attaching itself to unknown malware sites. Sandbox stops it all making it the BEST, not the most automated or convenient.

I agree with those who answered B. While D is likely the SAFEST solution, I don't think it is the BEST solution considering the expectations of the company on the employees (taking hb0011's Fireeye idea out as I don't think CompTIA was pushing that in the question). B seems the BEST to me.

You need an automated solution for enterprise scanning. How would you even execute every download on a sandbox? Teach each employee how to log in and test there then make them promise to never execute a file somewhere else? It's not just impractical, it's impossible, where a reverse proxy + Av engine is fairly standard industry practice.

We are focused on automation of ensure downloads don’t contain malware. Scanning the malware in conjunction with a web proxy to filter the content out helps this

Changing my answer to B. Blocking malware sites isn't comprehensive enough. Executing the files in a sandbox on the web proxy isn't practical or automated enough. The best solution is to scan all files downloaded. B.

C. Block known malware sites on the web proxy. Blocking known malware sites is a fundamental security measure to prevent users from accessing websites that are known to distribute malicious content. It aligns with the principle of preventing known threats from entering the network, providing a proactive defense against malware.

D. Execute the files in the sandbox on the web proxy. Sandboxing provides a proactive approach, evaluating files based on behavior and potentially catching malicious files that signature-based solutions might miss.

Option B, which involves scanning all downloads using an antivirus engine on the web proxy, is also a valid approach to reduce the risk. This method helps identify and block potentially malicious files before they reach the end-user's workstation. It provides an additional layer of protection. Both options D and B are effective, but using a sandboxed environment (option D) is often considered a more comprehensive approach for analyzing potentially harmful files.