CHFI Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of computer forensics fundamentals and 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.
During a forensic examination, an analyst uses the command 'dcfldd if=/dev/sda of=image.dd hash=sha256 hashlog=hash.txt'. What is the primary purpose of including 'hash=sha256' in this command?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
To compute a SHA-256 hash of the input drive and log it to a file for integrity verification
Option B is correct because the `hash=sha256` parameter in `dcfldd` instructs the tool to compute a SHA-256 hash of the input device (`/dev/sda`) during the acquisition process. This hash is then logged to the file specified by `hashlog=hash.txt`, providing a verifiable integrity check that the forensic image matches the original source. This is a standard forensic practice to ensure the image has not been altered or corrupted.
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.
✗
To split the image into multiple files named with SHA-256 checksums
Why it's wrong here
dcfldd can split images using other flags, but 'hash' does not perform splitting.
✓
To compute a SHA-256 hash of the input drive and log it to a file for integrity verification
Why this is correct
The hash is computed during imaging and logged, allowing later verification that the image matches the original.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
To encrypt the output image file using SHA-256
Why it's wrong here
SHA-256 is a hash function, not an encryption algorithm; it does not encrypt the image.
✗
To compress the image using SHA-256 compression algorithm
Why it's wrong here
SHA-256 is not a compression algorithm; no compression is applied.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse hashing with encryption or compression, assuming that `hash=sha256` might secure or shrink the output, when in fact it only generates a fixed-length digest for integrity verification.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `dcfldd` reads the input device block by block, computing the SHA-256 hash incrementally using the SHA-256 algorithm (as defined in FIPS 180-4). The final hash is written to the hashlog file, and the same hash can be recomputed later from the image file to verify integrity. In real-world forensic acquisitions, this hash is often recorded in the case notes and used in court to demonstrate that the evidence was not tampered with, as even a single bit change in the image would produce a completely different hash.
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 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.
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 Fundamentals and Process — This question tests Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: To compute a SHA-256 hash of the input drive and log it to a file for integrity verification — Option B is correct because the `hash=sha256` parameter in `dcfldd` instructs the tool to compute a SHA-256 hash of the input device (`/dev/sda`) during the acquisition process. This hash is then logged to the file specified by `hashlog=hash.txt`, providing a verifiable integrity check that the forensic image matches the original source. This is a standard forensic practice to ensure the image has not been altered or corrupted.
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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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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