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.
An incident responder is analyzing a compromised Windows workstation. Which TWO artifacts would provide the STRONGEST evidence of a malware persistence mechanism?
Event log entry for user login
Why wrong: Normal activity, not persistence.
Registry Run key referencing a suspicious path
Autorun persistence.
Scheduled Task entry pointing to a malicious executable
Common persistence method used by malware.
Network share access logs
Why wrong: Not persistence.
Browser history showing download of a suspicious file
Why wrong: Shows how malware entered, not persistence.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Registry Run key referencing a suspicious path
The Registry Run key (e.g., `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run`) is a classic and widely used persistence mechanism. A suspicious path under this key directly indicates that the malware is configured to execute automatically at user logon, providing strong evidence of persistence. This is a core artifact in Windows forensics for identifying auto-starting malware.
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.
Event log entry for user login
Why it's wrong here
Normal activity, not persistence.
Registry Run key referencing a suspicious path
Why this is correct
Autorun persistence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Scheduled Task entry pointing to a malicious executable
Why this is correct
Common persistence method used by malware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Network share access logs
Why it's wrong here
Not persistence.
Browser history showing download of a suspicious file
Why it's wrong here
Shows how malware entered, not persistence.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between infection vector artifacts (like browser history) and persistence mechanism artifacts (like Run keys or scheduled tasks), trapping candidates who confuse how malware arrives with how it survives a reboot.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows how malware entered, not persistence.
Detailed technical explanation
The Registry Run key is processed by the `Explorer.exe` shell during user logon, launching each referenced executable. Malware often uses obfuscated paths or leverages the `RunOnce` key for single-execution persistence. In real-world investigations, analysts also check the `Startup` folder and scheduled tasks, as modern malware may use multiple persistence points to evade removal.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
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: Registry Run key referencing a suspicious path — The Registry Run key (e.g., `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run`) is a classic and widely used persistence mechanism. A suspicious path under this key directly indicates that the malware is configured to execute automatically at user logon, providing strong evidence of persistence. This is a core artifact in Windows forensics for identifying auto-starting malware.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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