This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of storage forensics and file system analysis. 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 investigator uses FTK Imager to capture a forensic image of a suspect's hard drive. During acquisition, the tool reports that the DCO (Device Configuration Overlay) is present. What does this indicate?
The drive is failing and needs replacement
Why wrong: DCO is not an indication of drive failure.
The drive supports hardware encryption
Why wrong: DCO is unrelated to encryption.
The drive has a GPT partition table
Why wrong: DCO is independent of partition table type.
The drive has been tampered with to hide data
DCO can be used to hide data from the OS and forensic tools.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The drive has been tampered with to hide data
DCO is a region beyond the HPA that can hide data; its presence suggests possible data hiding.
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.
The drive is failing and needs replacement
Why it's wrong here
DCO is not an indication of drive failure.
The drive supports hardware encryption
Why it's wrong here
DCO is unrelated to encryption.
The drive has a GPT partition table
Why it's wrong here
DCO is independent of partition table type.
The drive has been tampered with to hide data
Why this is correct
DCO can be used to hide data from the OS and forensic tools.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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
Storage Forensics and File System Analysis — This question tests Storage Forensics and File System Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The drive has been tampered with to hide data — DCO is a region beyond the HPA that can hide data; its presence suggests possible data hiding.
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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