What does active content inspection primarily aim to identify?

Active content inspection primarily aims to identify malicious active content and vulnerabilities within files and applications that are being accessed or downloaded. This involves analyzing the behavior and characteristics of dynamic content—such as scripts, macros, and plugins—that can potentially carry malicious payloads or expose systems to security risks.

Active content can include various types of interactive features, such as JavaScript, ActiveX, and Flash, which are often used on web pages and in applications. These elements can be exploited by attackers to compromise systems, deliver malware, or steal sensitive information. Hence, by focusing on identifying such threats, active content inspection plays a critical role in enhancing an organization’s cybersecurity posture.

In contrast, other choices such as identifying inactive files, normal user behavior, or outdated operating systems do not pertain to the primary goal of active content inspection. Inactive files do not pose security threats, and normal user behavior is monitored separately through different mechanisms. Outdated operating systems are typically addressed through patch management processes rather than active content inspection, which focuses on the dynamic and potentially harmful content in active scenarios.