Quick Answer
The correct answer is the Azure Activity Log, now known as the Monitor Activity Log. This log source is the definitive record for all control-plane operations in Azure, including the deletion of a virtual machine, because it captures who performed the action, what the action was, and exactly when it occurred. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between Azure’s logging layers for forensic investigation—a common trap is confusing the Activity Log with Azure AD sign-in logs, which only track authentication events, or with NSG flow logs, which monitor network traffic. To remember this, think of the Activity Log as the “who, what, when” of resource management: it logs every administrative change to your Azure infrastructure, making it the first place an investigator should query to identify a VM deletion.
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of application, email and cloud forensics. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which Azure log source should an investigator query to identify who deleted a virtual machine and when?
Azure Activity Log
Activity Log records resource management operations (create, update, delete).
Azure Active Directory sign-in logs
Why wrong: These logs show sign-in events, not resource operations.
Azure Diagnostic Settings for the VM
Why wrong: Diagnostic settings log OS-level events, not deletion of the VM itself.
Network Security Group flow logs
Why wrong: Flow logs capture network traffic, not management operations.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Activity Log
Azure Activity Log (now called Monitor Activity Log) records control-plane operations like VM deletion. Azure AD logs are for authentication. NSG flow logs are for network traffic. Diagnostic settings for VMs capture OS-level logs.
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.
Azure Activity Log
Why this is correct
Activity Log records resource management operations (create, update, delete).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Active Directory sign-in logs
Why it's wrong here
These logs show sign-in events, not resource operations.
Azure Diagnostic Settings for the VM
Why it's wrong here
Diagnostic settings log OS-level events, not deletion of the VM itself.
Network Security Group flow logs
Why it's wrong here
Flow logs capture network traffic, not management operations.
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
These logs show sign-in events, not resource operations.
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.
Application, Email and Cloud Forensics — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Application, Email and Cloud Forensics practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CHFI questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CHFI practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Investigation Process.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Storage Forensics and File System Analysis.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Incident Response and First Responder Skills.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Lab.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Evidence Acquisition and Duplication.
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and Network Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and File System Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Application, Email and Cloud Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Mobile and Malware Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Network and Cloud Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Database and Application Forensics.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Application, Email and Cloud Forensics — This question tests Application, Email and Cloud Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Activity Log — Azure Activity Log (now called Monitor Activity Log) records control-plane operations like VM deletion. Azure AD logs are for authentication. NSG flow logs are for network traffic. Diagnostic settings for VMs capture OS-level logs.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which cloud service's audit logs would an investigator examine to identify who deleted a virtual machine in an Azure subscription?
easyWhy B: Azure Activity Logs record all control-plane events (e.g., create/delete resources) at the subscription level, including who performed the action.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.