This CEH practice question tests your understanding of enumeration and system hacking. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO of the following are common techniques used to cover tracks after compromising a system? (Choose TWO.)
Running a vulnerability scanner
Why wrong: This would draw attention.
Enabling firewall rules
Why wrong: Enabling firewall may block future access.
Installing a rootkit
Rootkits hide attacker presence.
Creating new user accounts
Why wrong: Creating accounts might be for persistence, but it leaves evidence.
Clearing event logs
Logs are often deleted or modified.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Installing a rootkit
Clearing event logs removes evidence of attacker activity. Using rootkits hides malicious processes and files. Both are standard covering tracks techniques.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Running a vulnerability scanner
Why it's wrong here
This would draw attention.
Enabling firewall rules
Why it's wrong here
Enabling firewall may block future access.
Installing a rootkit
Why this is correct
Rootkits hide attacker presence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Creating new user accounts
Why it's wrong here
Creating accounts might be for persistence, but it leaves evidence.
Clearing event logs
Why this is correct
Logs are often deleted or modified.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CEH exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which CEH exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Enumeration and System Hacking — This question tests Enumeration and System Hacking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Installing a rootkit — Clearing event logs removes evidence of attacker activity. Using rootkits hides malicious processes and files. Both are standard covering tracks techniques.
Identify which CEH exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CEH exam.
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