CAS-004 Security Operations Practice Question
During a forensic investigation, an analyst needs to collect volatile data from a compromised Linux server. Which of the following orders of volatility is correct for collecting the listed data?
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
✓
Memory contents, network connections, processes, files on disk
The order of volatility starts with the most volatile data: memory contents, then network connections, then processes, and finally files on disk. Network connections and processes are both highly volatile but memory is the most volatile.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Processes, memory contents, files on disk, network connections
Why it's wrong here
Memory should be first.
- ✗
Files on disk, memory contents, processes, network connections
Why it's wrong here
Files on disk are least volatile; should be last.
- ✓
Memory contents, network connections, processes, files on disk
Why this is correct
This is the correct order from most to least volatile.
- ✗
Network connections, processes, memory contents, files on disk
Why it's wrong here
Memory is more volatile than network connections.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-005 exam.