CHFI Computer Forensics Investigation Process Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of computer forensics investigation process. 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.
An incident responder has acquired a forensic image of a Linux server suspected of being compromised. The image was taken using 'dd' with no compression. The analyst needs to verify the integrity of the image. Which command should be used and what should be compared?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use 'sha256sum image.dd' and compare with the hash computed during acquisition from the source device.
Option D is correct because the SHA-256 hash computed during acquisition from the source device provides a cryptographic integrity check. By recomputing the hash on the acquired image and comparing it to the original hash, the analyst can verify that the image is an exact bit-for-bit copy without any alteration or corruption. SHA-256 is preferred over MD5 in forensic contexts due to its stronger collision resistance.
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.
✗
Use 'cmp' to compare the image byte-by-byte with the original drive.
Why it's wrong here
This is impractical and would modify the original drive if connected.
✗
Use 'md5sum image.dd' and compare with the original file's MD5 hash provided by the system administrator.
Why it's wrong here
MD5 is weaker and the original hash may not be trustworthy.
✗
Run 'fsck' on the image to check for filesystem errors.
Why it's wrong here
fsck checks filesystem consistency, not image integrity.
✓
Use 'sha256sum image.dd' and compare with the hash computed during acquisition from the source device.
Why this is correct
SHA-256 is strong and comparing with the hash from the source verifies integrity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
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 distinction between integrity verification (hash comparison) and filesystem checking (fsck), and the trap here is that candidates may choose 'cmp' or 'md5sum' because they sound familiar, without recognizing that 'cmp' requires the original drive and MD5 is no longer considered forensically sound.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SHA-256 produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value that is computationally infeasible to reverse or collide with, making it the standard for forensic image verification under NIST guidelines. During acquisition, tools like 'dcfldd' or 'guymager' automatically compute and store the SHA-256 hash; the analyst then re-runs 'sha256sum' on the image file and compares the output to that stored hash. In real-world scenarios, a mismatch could indicate a bad block during acquisition, a corrupted storage medium, or intentional tampering, all of which invalidate the evidence.
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 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.
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: Use 'sha256sum image.dd' and compare with the hash computed during acquisition from the source device. — Option D is correct because the SHA-256 hash computed during acquisition from the source device provides a cryptographic integrity check. By recomputing the hash on the acquired image and comparing it to the original hash, the analyst can verify that the image is an exact bit-for-bit copy without any alteration or corruption. SHA-256 is preferred over MD5 in forensic contexts due to its stronger collision resistance.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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