This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of mobile and malware forensics. 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 of a Windows system infected with ransomware, the analyst finds that the file timestamps (creation, modification, access) for several critical system files have been altered to match legitimate Windows files. Which anti-forensic technique is MOST likely being used?
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.
Data hiding via ADS
Why wrong: Alternate Data Streams hide data within files but do not change timestamps.
Steganography
Why wrong: Steganography hides data within other data, not timestamp manipulation.
Log wiping
Why wrong: Log wiping removes event log entries, not file timestamps.
Timestomping
Timestomping modifies file timestamps to evade forensic analysis.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Timestomping
Timestomping is the deliberate alteration of file timestamps (creation, modification, access) to mislead forensic investigators. In this scenario, the ransomware modified critical system file timestamps to match legitimate Windows files, which is the hallmark of timestomping. This technique is commonly used to evade timeline analysis and hide the true sequence of malicious activity.
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.
Data hiding via ADS
Why it's wrong here
Alternate Data Streams hide data within files but do not change timestamps.
Steganography
Why it's wrong here
Steganography hides data within other data, not timestamp manipulation.
Log wiping
Why it's wrong here
Log wiping removes event log entries, not file timestamps.
Timestomping
Why this is correct
Timestomping modifies file timestamps to evade forensic analysis.
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.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the distinction between timestomping (altering file timestamps) and log wiping (removing event logs), so the trap here is that candidates may confuse 'log wiping' with any timestamp-related manipulation, but log wiping specifically targets event logs, not file metadata.
Detailed technical explanation
Timestomping can be performed using tools like `SetMace` or `Timestomp` (part of the Metasploit framework) which directly modify the $STANDARD_INFORMATION and $FILE_NAME attributes in the NTFS MFT. On Windows, the `fsutil` command or programmatic calls to `SetFileTime` API can also alter timestamps. In real-world ransomware attacks, timestomping is often combined with timestamp manipulation of registry hives to further confuse forensic timelines.
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
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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: Timestomping — Timestomping is the deliberate alteration of file timestamps (creation, modification, access) to mislead forensic investigators. In this scenario, the ransomware modified critical system file timestamps to match legitimate Windows files, which is the hallmark of timestomping. This technique is commonly used to evade timeline analysis and hide the true sequence of malicious activity.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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