CHFI Computer Forensics Investigation Process Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of computer forensics investigation process. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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.
A CHFI analyst is called to investigate a suspected data breach. The IT team has already shut down the server. Which of the following is the most appropriate order of actions to preserve evidence?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Secure the scene, photograph the setup, document connections, remove hard drives, and create forensic images using a write-blocker.
Option D is correct because it follows the established forensic investigation process: secure the scene to prevent contamination, document the state of the server (photographs and connection diagrams), then physically remove the hard drives and create forensic images using a write-blocker to preserve the original data without alteration. This ensures evidence integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Immediately power on the server to check for running processes.
Why it's wrong here
Powering on modifies evidence and is not recommended.
✗
Copy all files from the server to an external USB drive.
Why it's wrong here
Copying files does not preserve deleted data or metadata; imaging is required.
✗
Run antivirus scan to ensure no malware is present before imaging.
Why it's wrong here
Running software on the evidence drive alters it.
✓
Secure the scene, photograph the setup, document connections, remove hard drives, and create forensic images using a write-blocker.
Why this is correct
This follows proper forensic procedure: secure, document, collect, image with write-blocker.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the misconception that immediate data collection (like powering on or scanning) is acceptable, when in fact the first priority is to preserve the scene and prevent any modification to the evidence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Forensic imaging with a write-blocker (hardware or software) ensures that every bit of the source drive is read without any write operations, preserving the original data hash (e.g., MD5 or SHA-256) for verification. In a real-world scenario, a server may have RAID configurations or encrypted volumes, requiring specialized tools (e.g., FTK Imager, dd with noerror flag) to acquire a bit-for-bit copy while documenting the chain of custody.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
Computer Forensics Investigation Process — This question tests Computer Forensics Investigation Process — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Secure the scene, photograph the setup, document connections, remove hard drives, and create forensic images using a write-blocker. — Option D is correct because it follows the established forensic investigation process: secure the scene to prevent contamination, document the state of the server (photographs and connection diagrams), then physically remove the hard drives and create forensic images using a write-blocker to preserve the original data without alteration. This ensures evidence integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings.
What should I do if I get this CHFI question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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