Sophos Certified Engineer Practice Exam 2025 - Free Sophos Engineer Practice Questions and Study Guide

Signature-based file scanning operates by identifying known threats through their unique characteristics, or "signatures," which are specific patterns or identifiers associated with previously detected malware. This method is effective because it allows security software to quickly compare files against a database of known malware signatures. If a file's signature matches one in the database, the software can recognize it as a threat and take appropriate action, such as quarantining or deleting the file.

While behavioral analysis, cloud intelligence, and real-time monitoring contribute to comprehensive cybersecurity strategies, they do not form the basis of signature-based file scanning. Behavioral analysis focuses on monitoring how files behave in real-time, which helps in detecting new or unknown malware based on their actions rather than their signatures. Cloud intelligence refers to threat data analyzed and aggregated in the cloud, which aids in quickly updating signatures but does not replace the core principle of signature-based scanning. Lastly, real-time monitoring of system changes involves observing system activities as they occur, which is a different approach compared to the identification of malicious files through established signatures.