CISSP Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature that helps prevent certain types of attacks by making specific regions of memory non-executable. This means that code cannot run from these areas of memory, effectively blocking the execution of malicious code that might try to exploit vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows. By restricting code execution in areas like the stack and heap, DEP reduces the likelihood of successful exploitations, thereby enhancing the system's overall security posture.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary functionality of DEP. Preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data pertains to access controls and encryption methods rather than execution prevention. Encrypting sensitive information typically involves different protocols and algorithms that ensure data confidentiality. Analyzing data for fraudulent activity relates to monitoring and anomaly detection, which again falls outside the scope of what DEP addresses. Therefore, the correct answer highlights DEP's role in managing memory execution rights, specifically by making certain pages of memory non-executable.