Investigating High CPU Usage and Outbound Network Traffic on Windows 7

A.

Based on the information provided, the following steps can be taken to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Identify the process using high CPU: The technician should identify the process that is using more than 90% of the CPU by reviewing the Task Manager. Once identified, the process should be noted down for further investigation.

2. Check network traffic: The technician should check the network traffic using a network monitoring tool. Based on the given information, the outbound network traffic on port 25 is very high, while inbound network traffic is low. Port 25 is typically used for SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) traffic, which suggests that the PC may be sending out a lot of emails.

3. Investigate the process: The process identified in step 1 should be investigated to determine if it is related to the high outbound network traffic. This can be done by researching the process online or using a process monitoring tool to analyze its behavior.

4. Disconnect network cable: If the process identified in step 1 is found to be related to malicious activity, the technician should disconnect the network cable to prevent further damage to the network and other systems.

5. Update antivirus software: If the process is not found to be malicious, the technician should update the antivirus software and run a full system scan to check for any malware or viruses that may be causing the slow performance.

6. Run antivirus scan: If the antivirus software is outdated or not installed, the technician should run an antivirus scan using a reputable antivirus tool to check for any malware or viruses.

Based on the above steps, the correct answer to the question is C. Run an antivirus scan.