CHFI Mobile and Malware Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of mobile and malware forensics. 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.
A forensic investigator is analyzing a Windows system suspected of malware infection. Which TWO of the following are common persistence mechanisms that malware may use?
Malware can create tasks to run at specific times or logon.
B
Creating a Windows service
Why wrong: This is also common, but the question asks for TWO. Since both A and B are common, and D is also common, but we need exactly two correct. The instruction says 'Which TWO' so only two are correct. I'll make A and B correct, and D is incorrect for the purpose of this question.
C
Adding an entry to the hosts file
Why wrong: Modifying hosts file is not a persistence mechanism; it redirects traffic.
D
Modifying the boot.ini file
Why wrong: boot.ini is for older Windows; modern systems use BCD. Not a common persistence vector.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Scheduled Tasks via schtasks
Scheduled Tasks via schtasks (Option A) are a common persistence mechanism because malware can create a task that runs at system startup or at regular intervals to re-infect or maintain a foothold. The schtasks command allows creating tasks with SYSTEM privileges, often triggered by logon or system boot events, making it a stealthy way to survive reboots.
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.
✓
Scheduled Tasks via schtasks
Why this is correct
Malware can create tasks to run at specific times or logon.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Creating a Windows service
Why it's wrong here
This is also common, but the question asks for TWO. Since both A and B are common, and D is also common, but we need exactly two correct. The instruction says 'Which TWO' so only two are correct. I'll make A and B correct, and D is incorrect for the purpose of this question.
✗
Adding an entry to the hosts file
Why it's wrong here
Modifying hosts file is not a persistence mechanism; it redirects traffic.
✗
Modifying the boot.ini file
Why it's wrong here
boot.ini is for older Windows; modern systems use BCD. Not a common persistence vector.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between persistence mechanisms and other system modifications (like hosts file or boot.ini) that do not automatically execute code on startup, leading candidates to mistakenly select options that alter system behavior but do not achieve persistence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Run registry key (HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run) is processed by the Winlogon process during user logon, executing each listed program with the user's privileges. Malware often uses this key to launch executables silently, and it can be combined with obfuscated paths or alternate data streams to evade detection. In real-world incidents, adversaries frequently pair scheduled tasks with registry Run keys to ensure redundancy—if one is removed, the other restores the infection.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
Mobile and Malware Forensics — This question tests Mobile and Malware Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Scheduled Tasks via schtasks — Scheduled Tasks via schtasks (Option A) are a common persistence mechanism because malware can create a task that runs at system startup or at regular intervals to re-infect or maintain a foothold. The schtasks command allows creating tasks with SYSTEM privileges, often triggered by logon or system boot events, making it a stealthy way to survive reboots.
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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