Quick Answer
The answer is sudo ss -tunap, because this command displays all TCP and UDP sockets in a listening or established state while appending the associated process IDs, which is exactly what a forensic investigator needs to trace unusual outbound connections back to a specific program. The -t flag filters for TCP, -u for UDP, -n for numeric addresses to avoid DNS lookups, -a for all sockets, and -p to show the PID and process name. On the CHFI exam, this tests your ability to perform live network forensics on a Linux system, where netstat is often deprecated or not installed, making ss the modern, efficient alternative. A common trap is forgetting sudo, which hides process information for sockets owned by other users, or omitting -p and missing the PID entirely. Memory tip: think “ss -tunap” as “See Sockets, Track Unusual Network Activity with PIDs.”
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of os and network 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 Linux system administrator notices unusual outbound connections from a server. Which of the following commands would MOST effectively capture a list of all current network connections along with the associated process IDs?
sudo iptables -L
Why wrong: iptables lists firewall rules, not active connections.
sudo lsmod
Why wrong: lsmod lists kernel modules.
sudo ifconfig -a
Why wrong: ifconfig shows interface configuration, not connections.
sudo ss -tunap
ss -tunap lists all TCP/UDP sockets with numeric addresses, process info, and PID.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
sudo ss -tunap
The 'ss -tunap' command displays TCP/UDP sockets with process information. 'netstat -tunap' is similar but deprecated on many systems. 'lsof -i' shows open files for network connections.
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.
sudo iptables -L
Why it's wrong here
iptables lists firewall rules, not active connections.
sudo lsmod
Why it's wrong here
lsmod lists kernel modules.
sudo ifconfig -a
Why it's wrong here
ifconfig shows interface configuration, not connections.
sudo ss -tunap
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
ifconfig shows interface configuration, not connections.
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 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 CHFI 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
OS and Network Forensics — This question tests OS and Network Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: sudo ss -tunap — The 'ss -tunap' command displays TCP/UDP sockets with process information. 'netstat -tunap' is similar but deprecated on many systems. 'lsof -i' shows open files for network connections.
Identify which CHFI 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 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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