CompTIA CySA+ Practice Test

In a cybersecurity alert scenario, what does the presence of call home messages signify?

1. Normal system operation

2. A potential connection to a spy network

3. An infected system trying to reach a command and control server

4. A system misconfiguration

The correct answer is: An infected system trying to reach a command and control server

The presence of call home messages typically indicates that an infected system is attempting to connect to a command and control (C2) server. These messages are often part of malware's operations, where the compromised system communicates back to the attacker’s server for further instructions, updates, or data exfiltration. This behavior is a hallmark of many cyberattacks, especially in the context of remote command execution or data retrieval. Understanding this concept is crucial in incident response and threat detection, as identifying such outgoing messages can help cybersecurity professionals recognize and mitigate active threats. Proactively monitoring for call home messages is an essential practice in detecting compromised systems within a network and responding to potential incidents effectively.