Question 1,011 of 870
Actions Part of Static Malware Analysis
An ethical hacker is analyzing a suspicious file using static analysis. Which of the following actions is part of static malware analysis?
Quick Answer
The answer is examining the file's strings and metadata without executing it. This is correct because static malware analysis is defined by the principle of non-execution; it involves inspecting the binary’s embedded strings, file headers, hashes, and other metadata to identify indicators of compromise without running the code. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish between static and dynamic analysis phases, and a common trap is confusing static analysis with behavioral analysis performed in a sandbox. A reliable memory tip is to associate “static” with “still” or “stopped”—you never let the file run, you only read its frozen contents.
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'static analysis' with 'dynamic analysis' or 'online scanning,' leading them to select options that involve execution (A, D) or third-party aggregation (B) instead of direct file inspection without execution.
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
✓
Examining the file's strings and metadata without executing it
Static malware analysis involves examining the file without executing it. Option C is correct because analyzing strings and metadata (e.g., file headers, embedded URLs, IP addresses, or suspicious function calls) is a core static analysis technique, often performed using tools like `strings`, `binwalk`, or `PEview`. This approach avoids the risks of execution and helps identify indicators of compromise (IOCs) before dynamic analysis.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Running the file in a sandboxed environment and monitoring its behavior
Why it's wrong here
This is dynamic analysis, not static.
- ✗
Uploading the file to VirusTotal for scanning
Why it's wrong here
VirusTotal uses multiple antivirus engines, which may involve both static and dynamic analysis, but uploading is not a static analysis action performed by the analyst.
- ✓
Examining the file's strings and metadata without executing it
Why this is correct
Static analysis examines the file's binary, strings, and metadata without execution.
- ✗
Using Wireshark to capture packets sent by the file
Why it's wrong here
This is dynamic analysis, as it requires the file to be executed.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on CEH
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are examples of static malware analysis techniques? (Select two.)
medium- A.Running the malware in a sandbox
- B.Capturing network traffic during execution
- C.Monitoring process behavior with Process Monitor
- ✓ D.Checking file hash on VirusTotal
- ✓ E.Examining strings in the binary
Why D: Checking a file hash on VirusTotal is a static analysis technique: it compares the cryptographic hash (e.g., MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256) of the binary against known malware signatures without executing the file. This allows you to leverage community-sourced detection results and metadata without running the sample, preserving the integrity of the analysis environment. Examining strings in the binary is also a static analysis technique, as it involves inspecting the file's contents for readable text, function names, or other embedded data without executing the code.
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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