200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
In Linux forensics, which file would an analyst check to see command history of a user, potentially revealing malicious commands executed?
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
✓
/home/user/.bash_history
Bash history is stored in ~/.bash_history for each user.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
/etc/passwd
Why it's wrong here
passwd contains user account information, not command history.
- ✗
/proc/net/tcp
Why it's wrong here
/proc/net/tcp shows active network connections, not command history.
- ✗
/var/log/auth.log
Why it's wrong here
auth.log contains authentication events, not command history.
- ✓
/home/user/.bash_history
Why this is correct
The .bash_history file stores the command history for that user.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.