Quick Answer
The answer is /data/data/ and /mnt/sdcard/Android/data/. These two locations are the most likely to contain app-specific data recoverable through a logical acquisition because Android isolates application data into a private internal directory at /data/data/ for sensitive files like databases and shared preferences, while external storage at /mnt/sdcard/Android/data/ holds larger, user-facing files such as media or cached content. On the CHFI exam, this tests your understanding of Android file system hierarchy and the distinction between logical and physical acquisition methods—a common trap is assuming only the internal directory holds evidence, but logical techniques like ADB backup can extract both. Remember the mnemonic “Private inside, public outside” to link /data/data/ with internal private data and /mnt/sdcard/Android/data/ with external app-specific storage, ensuring you identify both locations when analyzing app usage in forensic scenarios.
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of mobile and malware forensics. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 forensic analyst is examining an Android device for evidence of a specific app's usage. Which TWO locations are MOST likely to contain app-specific data that can be recovered through a logical acquisition?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
/system/bin/
Why wrong: Contains system binaries, not app data.
/data/data/
Main internal storage for app data.
/mnt/sdcard/Android/data/
External app data storage location.
/proc/
Why wrong: Virtual filesystem for process info, not persistent app data.
/init.rc
Why wrong: Boot configuration file.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/data/data/
Option B is correct because /data/data/ is the primary directory on Android devices where installed applications store their private data, including databases, shared preferences, and cache files. This directory is accessible through logical acquisition (e.g., ADB backup) and contains app-specific evidence such as user credentials, chat logs, and configuration files.
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.
/system/bin/
Why it's wrong here
Contains system binaries, not app data.
/data/data/
Why this is correct
Main internal storage for app data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/mnt/sdcard/Android/data/
Why this is correct
External app data storage location.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/proc/
Why it's wrong here
Virtual filesystem for process info, not persistent app data.
/init.rc
Why it's wrong here
Boot configuration file.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that /system/bin/ or /proc/ contain app-specific data because they sound like common storage locations, but in Android forensics, only /data/data/ and external storage paths like /mnt/sdcard/Android/data/ hold recoverable app artifacts during logical acquisition.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, /data/data/ is part of the /data partition, which is typically formatted as ext4 or F2FS and mounted with nosuid, nodev, and noexec flags for security. During logical acquisition via ADB backup (using 'adb backup -f backup.ab -noapk com.example.app'), the backup agent extracts app data from /data/data/ without requiring root, but only if the app declares android:allowBackup=true in its manifest. A real-world scenario: recovering deleted WhatsApp messages from /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db using a logical acquisition tool like Magnet AXIOM or Cellebrite UFED.
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 CHFI 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Mobile and Malware Forensics — This question tests Mobile and Malware Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: /data/data/ — Option B is correct because /data/data/ is the primary directory on Android devices where installed applications store their private data, including databases, shared preferences, and cache files. This directory is accessible through logical acquisition (e.g., ADB backup) and contains app-specific evidence such as user credentials, chat logs, and configuration files.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CHFI 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 CHFI exam.
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