The answer is data stored on the external SD card, as this is the artifact most likely to survive a factory reset on Android devices and provide useful forensic evidence. A factory reset specifically targets the internal /data partition, wiping app data, account tokens, and system configurations like wpa_supplicant.conf, but it typically does not format the external SD card because that storage is user-removable and considered separate from the device’s core system. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this question tests your understanding of Android file system forensics and the distinction between volatile internal storage and persistent external media. A common trap is assuming that a factory reset erases everything, but examiners know that photos, videos, and app backups on the SD card often remain intact. Remember the mnemonic “SD Survives” to recall that external storage is not wiped by a standard factory reset.
CHFI Mobile and Malware Forensics Practice Question
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 Android device is found with factory reset performed. The forensic examiner wants to recover as much data as possible. Which of the following artefacts is MOST likely to survive a factory reset and provide useful evidence?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Data stored on the external SD card
Factory reset wipes the /data partition, which includes /data/data/ (app data), AccountManager tokens, and system configuration files like wpa_supplicant.conf. However, external SD cards are typically not formatted during a factory reset because they are user-removable storage. Therefore, data stored on the external SD card (e.g., photos, videos, app backups) often survives intact and can provide valuable forensic evidence.
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.
✗
Deleted SQLite records from /data/data/
Why it's wrong here
Factory reset typically wipes /data/data/ partition, making recovery unlikely.
✓
Data stored on the external SD card
Why this is correct
Factory reset usually does not format the external SD card, so data there may remain.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Google account authentication tokens stored in AccountManager
Why it's wrong here
Factory reset removes account tokens from the device.
✗
Wi-Fi passwords from wpa_supplicant.conf
Why it's wrong here
Factory reset deletes wpa_supplicant.conf from /data/misc/wifi/.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that factory reset wipes all storage, including external SD cards, but the standard Android factory reset only targets internal partitions, leaving external storage untouched unless the user selects the additional 'Erase SD card' option.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
On Android, factory reset executes a format of the /data partition (typically ext4 or f2fs) and the /cache partition, but does not touch the external SD card (usually vfat or exFAT). The external SD card is mounted at /storage/XXXX-XXXX or /sdcard1, and its contents remain accessible unless the user explicitly performs a 'wipe SD card' option. In real-world investigations, examiners often find incriminating photos, downloaded files, or app data remnants on the external SD card even after a factory reset.
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.
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: Data stored on the external SD card — Factory reset wipes the /data partition, which includes /data/data/ (app data), AccountManager tokens, and system configuration files like wpa_supplicant.conf. However, external SD cards are typically not formatted during a factory reset because they are user-removable storage. Therefore, data stored on the external SD card (e.g., photos, videos, app backups) often survives intact and can provide valuable forensic evidence.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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