Question 1mediummulti select
Full question →mediummulti selectObjective-mapped
An investigator needs to make a forensic image of a suspect laptop without changing the original drive contents. Which two practices should be used? Select two.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Use a hardware or software write blocker during acquisition
A write blocker prevents the acquisition tool from modifying the source drive.
B
Best answer
Record SHA-256 hashes of the source and the image to verify integrity
Matching hashes help prove that the forensic copy is identical to the original evidence.
C
Distractor review
Mount the drive read/write so hidden files are easier to access
Read/write mounting can alter evidence and defeats the purpose of forensic acquisition.
D
Distractor review
Defragment the drive first to improve imaging speed
Defragmentation changes the evidence and is inappropriate before imaging.
E
Distractor review
Install triage tools directly on the suspect laptop
Installing tools on the suspect system modifies it and can contaminate evidence.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a hardware or software write blocker during acquisition — A forensic image must be created without altering the original media, and integrity must be provable afterward. A write blocker prevents accidental writes to the source drive during acquisition. Hashing the original and the image with the same algorithm, such as SHA-256, confirms that the copy matches the source and has not been modified. These two practices are foundational for defensible forensic work because they protect both the evidence and the credibility of the investigation. Why others are wrong: Read/write access risks changing metadata and other evidence. Defragmenting rewrites data placement, which destroys forensic integrity. Installing tools on the suspect laptop alters the system state and can overwrite relevant artifacts. Forensic acquisition is about preserving the original evidence, not making the drive easier to browse or faster to copy.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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