20+ practice questions focused on Forensic Investigation And Malware Analysis — one of the most tested topics on the Certified SOC Analyst (312-39) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation so you learn why the right answer is correct.
Start Forensic Investigation And Malware Analysis PracticeA SOC analyst is analyzing a suspicious email attachment. The analyst wants to extract URLs and embedded files without detonating the payload in a full sandbox. Which tool is recommended for this type of file parsing?
Explanation: OleDump is a specialized tool used to analyze OLE files (like Office docs) to extract VBA macros and embedded objects.
A SOC analyst needs to capture volatile memory for a forensic investigation on a suspected compromised Windows workstation. Which command-line tool, when executed with the appropriate privilege level, allows for the acquisition of a physical RAM image?
Explanation: FTK Imager CLI is a standard tool used for capturing volatile memory in a forensically sound manner from a live system.
You are investigating a file-less malware infection. Where in the Windows Registry would you look to identify common persistence mechanisms used by malicious scripts?
Explanation: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run is a per-user autostart key that malware and malicious scripts commonly abuse to establish persistence — anything listed there launches at user logon. File-less malware, which lives in memory or in script engines (PowerShell, WMI, mshta), frequently writes a Run key entry pointing to a script, LOLBin, or encoded command. This is the first place to check for user-level persistence.
A SOC analyst is investigating a compromised Windows 10 endpoint. The attacker used a novel dropper that does not write a persistent executable to disk; instead, it injects a reflective DLL into a legitimate process and then deletes its original payload. The analyst has a full memory capture from the endpoint. Which Volatility 3 plugin should the analyst use first to enumerate hidden or unlinked processes that may host the injected code?
Explanation: The analyst must first discover processes that are hidden from the normal kernel list. windows.psscan performs a pool-tag scan of physical memory and can recover unlinked or terminated process objects, making it the correct initial plugin for a reflective DLL injection scenario where the original dropper no longer exists on disk. Other plugins address network or memory-region artifacts but not process enumeration.
While investigating a potential malware infection, a SOC analyst needs to determine if a specific binary has been analyzed by the security community before. Which platform is the industry standard for checking the reputation of a file hash across dozens of antivirus engines?
Explanation: VirusTotal is the industry-standard platform for checking a file hash (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256) against dozens of antivirus engines, sandboxes, and threat intelligence sources simultaneously. Analysts paste the hash and instantly see detection ratios, behavioral reports, and community comments. It is the de facto first stop for file reputation during malware triage.
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Practice all Forensic Investigation And Malware Analysis questions1. Baseline your knowledge
Start with 10 questions to gauge your current understanding of Forensic Investigation And Malware Analysis. This tells you whether you need a concept refresher or just practice.
2. Review every explanation
For each question — right or wrong — read the full explanation. Understanding why an answer is correct is more valuable than knowing the answer itself.
3. Focus on exam traps
Forensic Investigation And Malware Analysis questions on the 312-39 frequently use trap wording. Look for subtle differences in answers that test your precision, not just general knowledge.
4. Reach 80% consistently
Do repeated sessions until you score 80%+ three times in a row. Then move to mixed-mode practice to test cross-topic recall under realistic conditions.
The exact number varies per candidate. Forensic Investigation And Malware Analysis is tested as part of the Certified SOC Analyst (312-39) blueprint. Practicing with targeted Forensic Investigation And Malware Analysis questions ensures you can handle any format or difficulty that appears.
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Difficulty is subjective, but Forensic Investigation And Malware Analysis is a high-priority exam concept tested in multiple ways — direct recall, scenario analysis, and command-output interpretation. Consistent practice is the best way to build confidence.
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