Question 47

Run a malware scan on the file received from the client.

Conducting a malware scan on the file is the most immediate and prudent step to ensure that the spreadsheet is not infected with malicious software that could cause the application to freeze and crash.

A) Run a malware scan on the file received from the client.

This option is correct because the behavior described—freezing and crashing—could be indicative of malware within the spreadsheet. A malware scan will help identify and mitigate any potential threats before further attempts to open or analyze the file.

B) Validate that the file extension of the shared spreadsheet is compatible.

While checking the file extension is important, it does not directly address the issue of the application crashing. The file could have a compatible extension but still contain harmful code; therefore, this option does not resolve the immediate concern of potential malware.

C) Review event logs for error messages relating to the application.

Reviewing event logs can provide insights into application failures but does not directly tackle the potential issue of malware in the spreadsheet. This step may be useful later, but it is not the priority when a file is suspected of causing a system crash.

D) Perform an upgrade on the spreadsheet application.

Upgrading the spreadsheet application may help resolve compatibility issues in the long run, but it does not address the immediate concern of a potentially infected file. This option is less relevant as the first step to resolve the current issue.

Conclusion

Running a malware scan is critical in this scenario as it directly addresses the possibility of malware causing the application to crash. Other options either do not tackle the immediate risk or are secondary steps that should follow a malware assessment. Thus, option A is the most appropriate response to ensure system safety and functionality.