200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
An analyst wants to determine if a specific executable has been run on a Windows system. Which artifact provides evidence of prior execution?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that Windows Event Logs (specifically Security Event ID 4688) are always enabled and capture all process executions, when in reality they require explicit audit policy configuration and are often not logging by default, making Prefetch a more reliable artifact for execution evidence.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Prefetch files
Prefetch files (.pf) are created by Windows when an executable runs, storing execution details such as the first eight file paths referenced and the last run time. Analyzing Prefetch files allows an analyst to determine if a specific executable has been executed, even if the executable itself has been deleted. This makes Prefetch the most direct artifact for evidence of prior execution.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Registry Run keys
Why it's wrong here
Run keys indicate auto-start, not necessarily that the program has run.
- ✗
Task Scheduler logs
Why it's wrong here
Task Scheduler logs only if the program was scheduled.
- ✓
Prefetch files
Why this is correct
Prefetch files are located in C:\Windows\Prefetch and track execution.
- ✗
Windows Event Logs
Why it's wrong here
Event logs may not log every execution; prefetch is more direct.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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