2. A remote employee navigates to a shopping website on their company-owned computer. The employee clicks a link that contains a malicious file. Which of the following would prevent this file from downloading?

Answer: A

Explanation:

DLP would prevent the malicious file from downloading.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies are designed to monitor and control data transfers, ensuring that sensitive or malicious files do not leave or enter a network. In this scenario, a DLP solution would effectively block the download of the malicious file by recognizing it as a potential threat.

A) DLP

DLP is specifically tailored to prevent unauthorized data transfers, including harmful files. It analyzes the content being downloaded and can block it based on predefined policies, making it the most suitable option to prevent the malicious file from being downloaded.

B) FIM

File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) focuses on tracking changes to files and directories, ensuring that unauthorized modifications are detected. While important for security, FIM does not actively prevent downloads or block malicious files from entering a system, making it ineffective in this scenario.

C) NAC

Network Access Control (NAC) manages the devices that can access a network, enforcing security policies. Though it can limit access to networks based on device compliance, it does not specifically prevent the downloading of files once access is granted, thus failing to address the issue of the malicious file download.

D) EDR

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions are designed to detect and respond to threats on endpoints after they occur. While EDR can help in identifying malicious activity, it does not prevent the initial downloading of malicious files, which is the critical issue in this scenario.

Conclusion

In summary, DLP is the only option that directly prevents the downloading of malicious files, while the other options—FIM, NAC, and EDR—do not effectively address this specific action. By implementing DLP, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of downloading harmful content, thereby enhancing their overall cybersecurity posture.